Miami Heat: The Justise Winslow/Kawhi Leonard comparison
By Ivan Mora
If Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow develops appropriately, he has the skill set to become a unique two-way player, like Kawhi Leonard.
The Miami Heat are optimistic they have a bright young core ready to develop as the years progress.
The up and down battle that they constantly try to defuse has been a result of a lack of the right rotations. In fact, you can call it a battle with their own identity and who they are within the Heat Culture. But one thing that is undeniable, is the ceiling for development and their unique talent.
Take Justise Winslow, who made immense strides as a two-way player late in the season and in their first-round matchup against Philadelphia. And what was more exciting, was his ability to adapt.
It can even go as far as a slight comparison in the making to the great Kawhi Leonard.
Of course, Leonard is a caliber (or two) above Winslow, being a NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP. But that doesn’t mean Winslow doesn’t share some fancy qualities that define a great two-way player in today’s league.
Both players excel on defense. One has a better reach, but both share the same attributes.
They are both 6-foot-7 and have a similar wingspan of 7-feet. Leonard has been in the league seven years, but never really shined until his remarkable breakout year, his third season in. Winslow is in his third year and ironically enough, this past season he too broke out of his limited shell of his rookie and sophomore campaign.
His defensive rebounds increased to an average of 4.5, his field goal percentage increased to .440 and he even had a rise in his 3-point percentage (.380).
Leonard’s 3-point percentage his third year? 37.9 percent. Close enough.
Winslow seems to be inadvertently following the road that Leonard paved for him. You can especially see it in his defense.
Winslow falls back and defends CJ McCollum during this isolation play.
Watch how fast his feet shift side to side, and how he never lets his arms down. He stretches them forward and provides a strong firm body without committing a foul. He falls back with enough space when McCollum switches hands to take the drive in, doesn’t stick to his immediate drive, and instead takes one to two steps back to hold down the lane.
Now, look at how Leonard defended LeBron James and the Miami Heat during the 2013-2014 NBA Finals.
In fact, if you look at the 16-second marker, both Leonard’s and Winslow’s starting defensive position is the same. You can even feel their body language is similar, as they hold their position firm without giving too much cushion.
Their build and athleticism provide that frame for their defensive talent and that can only provide offensive options in transition plays. They both know how to control the point and distribute the ball. They both even have similar isolation plays with smooth lobs in the paint.
However, although the similarities are undeniable, the level of performance is still different for now.
Next: Miami Heat: Positionless play needs a Whiteside-sized retool
It may be too early to say that Winslow will be the next coming of Leonard, but from what we’ve seen, it might not be far from the truth.