Goran Dragic to lead the way with a new host of sidekicks
By Simon Smith
Rook 1 and Rook 2
Last season’s rookies Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson are both extremely athletic, can seemingly run all day, and at just 20 and 22 years old respectively, have no reason to not get up and run and fill the lanes all season.
Although Winslow to this stage has primarily excelled as a defender, his ability to cut to the basket, combined with his high basketball intelligence, should prove to make a great fit with Dragic at the wheel.
After a slow start to his rookie season, Richardson exploded during the final 30 games, averaging 9.9 points per game on 50 percent shooting which included an amazing 52.7 percent from three-point range.
When you compare this to his initial 22 games in the league where he averaged two points per game on 26.4 percent from the field including 20.8 percent from downtown, it was really a remarkable turnaround.
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When you also factor in that he was in-and-out of the Heat’s D-League team early in the season, it gives credence to the fact that Miami do appear to have found a gem in the second round if his improvement continues at this rate. And if his start to this years Summer League is any indication, Richardson could be bound for a true breakout year.
With Dragic likely to share starting duties with Richardson and Winslow at the wings, the recent makeup of Miami’s bench should also fit into Dragic’s preferred tempo of play.
Former No. 2 overall draft pick, forward Derrick Williams, and shooting guard Wayne Ellington, have recently been added to the Heat on one and two year deals respectively.
Next: Derrick Williams