The process of fixing Justise Winslow’s shot starts in the preseason

Improving Justise Winslow’s the jump shot can go a long way in brightening the Miami Heat’s future.

The first game of preseason is never an accurate indication of what an NBA season will entail, but it is beneficial to what young players and growing teams are trying to do.

While most secure veterans go through the motions of what can often look like an extended training camp–against players in different uniforms–teams like the Miami Heat try to get up to speed with the 10 new faces on the roster.

Equally as important is the development of their newly paid youngsters (Hassan Whiteside and Tyler Johnson) and Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng’s wing replacements (Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow). All of which have the skills to impact both ends of the floor. Except for Winslow whose defense is the most developed part of his game.

Offensively, he shot 42 percent from the field last season and 28 percent from behind the three-point line. And as if those numbers were not bad enough, NBA.com’s shooting stats show that the small forward was horrific from beyond the restricted area.

Between five feet and the three-point line, Winslow shot a meager 31.8 percent from the field. Furthermore, when he stretched his range outside of 24 feet his game took a bigger dip, as any attempts from Miami’s favorite corners dropped him to 26.7 percent.

However this is where “The Shooting Guy” Rob Fodor comes in.

The team’s use of a full-time shooting coach–for the first time in 29 years–shows how desperate the franchise is to improve on the woeful shooting that has plague them since the end of their championship run.

However if you ask Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the change was made with Winslow in mind.

Coach Erik Spoelstra sees things another way though, per the Sun-Sentinel:

"“I think there’s too much of a focus on his perimeter shooting. He’s put in an unbelievable amount of time this summer. That doesn’t define what kind of player he is… it’s all those other plays."

Still it can not be denied that after at least one game Fodor and Winslow’s offseason work has him confident.

Not only was he 3-for-3 in the restricted area, but the second year player was 2-for-2 shooting the three from the right corner.

Next: Whiteside got his money, so what's next?

Now 0-3 from the top of the three-point arch leaves a little something to be desired. Yet vast changes in Winslow’s percentages will not only stretch the floor for Miami, but give Spoelstra a threat that other teams must respect.