What each Miami Heat starter has to prove

Apr 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (L) talks to Heat guard Josh Richardson (R) during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 123-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (L) talks to Heat guard Josh Richardson (R) during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 123-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Heat defeated the Suns 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Justise Winslow

Going from good to great will certainly be the mantra this season for Justise Winslow. In his debut season, Winslow demonstrated he has the ability to be rated as one of the top defensive wing players in the game. It’s the other end of the floor in which Winslow will be striving to reach the next level. Averaging just 6.4 points per game as a rookie including 27.6 percent from downtown indicates he certainly has some work to do.

Now entrenched as the Heat’s starting small forward for years to come, Winslow showed promising signs in the team’s first pre-season game. In 23 minutes of play, Winslow contributed 12 points on 5-of-8 from the field and 2-of-5 from three-point range. The off-season work with a shooting coach has reportedly seen major improvements in his stroke. Pat Riley certainly has his back, as he stated here months ago. Riley noted, “He’s capable of starting in this league…I feel very comfortable with it.”

Now Winslow has to prove to the Heat that their faith in him is warranted. By letting Wade, Deng and Johnson depart this off-season, they clearly feel Winslow is up to the challenge. We will soon see to what level he has progressed.