Miami Heat: What led Justise Winslow to the promise land?

The Corners no more

Last season, a preponderance of Winslow’s shots came from the left and right corners. Those jumpers were an artifact of him not yet finding a comfort zone. Whereas Wayne Ellington and Rodney McGruder are at home darting past the elbows to the corner, Winslow has never been the type.

Now, with the ball in his hands to start possessions, Winslow can’t resort to settling for a corner triple.

The change is best represented in his dribble data. According to NBA.com, 35 percent of Winslow’s shots come without a dribble, compared to 45 percent last season.

Creating for himself, and others, off the bounce has helped Winslow find high percentage looks like floaters, which subsequently engages his planetary pull on defenses.

Whiteside doesn’t get that look if Winslow didn’t catch the attention of four, count ‘em, four Toronto Raptors. Even Danny Green, who was on the lookout for both McGruder and James Johnson in the corner stole a few glances at Winslow.

And even if he isn’t prioritizing 3s, Winslow is still shooting better than his usual rate.

Though his 37 percent 3-point average dipped one percentage point from last year, Winslow has been shooting almost twice as many attempts per game.

Averaging 3.5 triples per game, Winslow is steadily forcing defenses to recognize his versatility, as opponents have to guard him on the wing as much as they have to shutter him from the rim.

Admittedly, things are still shaky for Winslow at the rim. Within the restricted zone he is making just 46 percent of his shots, making his joking comments about his small hands fall under greater scrutiny.

Still, as Winslow builds up his resume, there will be plenty of more opportunities to finish at the rim. And with more experience come (hopefully) higher percentages.