Justise Winslow says his shoulder is ‘100 percent’

Justise Winslow is participating in contact and work and is ready to reclaim the Miami Heat’s starting small forward position.

It’s been eight months since Justise Winslow last played in an NBA game, but he’s excited to get back on to the court.

Winslow’s sophomore season was cut short after just 18 games due to a torn labrum that required season-ending shoulder surgery but, before that, he’d been struggling with discomfort. Since the surgery he’s been rehabbing.

Now, as he tells the Palm Beach Post’s Anthony Chiang, he is feeling completely healed.

"“My shoulder is feeling great. I’m 100 percent now,” said Winslow. “Doing different contact stuff, playing with guys in 3-on-3 [games]. Playing against the other coaches and the trainers and things like that. I feel good. I’m in pretty good shape. I’m feeling lighter and eating better, so I’m excited for this upcoming season.”"

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As Chiang writes, Winslow expects to be ready for the start of training camp on Sept. 26 and is participating in full-contact work.

Winslow last played on Dec. 30, in a loss to the Boston Celtics. He scored 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting and had nine rebounds and six assists. In his limited time on the court, Winslow was struggling with his jumper, shooting just 35.6 percent from the field on 12.5 attempts per game. From what we’ve heard since his surgery, Winslow had been dealing with discomfort for some time before the procedure, and that likely played a part in his shooting struggles.

Winslow enters this season in the running for the starting small forward job, along with Josh Richardson and Rodney McGruder. If he’s going to land the gig, he’ll need to prove he’s moving past those shooting struggles. Winslow does a lot of things well–he’s an elite perimeter defender, handles the ball well and has good court vision–but a lousy jumper can halt an offense.

He’s still among the youngest players on the Heat roster, and has plenty of time to develop. For those who are down on Winslow, it’s immature to write him off. He has his limitations, but we’ll see what difference health can make.