Early Impressions of Rookie Justise Winslow
All you’re really looking for from rookies this time of year is flashes.
Even the draft picks that go on to have Hall of Fame careers aren’t even in the same universe of the player they’ll eventually become as they ramp up to their first professional circuit. There are hints along the way, if you pay close attention. You just can’t always count them.
While Justise Winslow’s 12 points, 10 boards, three assists and two blocks in 35 minutes as Miami’s by-default starting power forward in Orlando on Tuesday is a reasonably-shiny, do-it-all box-score line, it’s not the line that’s so encouraging.
Erik Spoelstra typically doesn’t put much pressure on his young players by hyping them up with the media. He’s been steadfast in sticking to his ‘I don’t want to put him in a box’ line whenever Winslow comes up. Thing is, that’s not just a line. There’s no reason to put Winslow in a box, especially when he looks so good, so calm, in so many situations.
Granted, the jumper will take some time and like any other young player there will be an adjustment to finishing at the rim among the mountains and trees. Everywhere else, whether he’s operating with the ball in his hands or learning from Dwyane Wade after practice, Winslow doesn’t look like a 19-year old. Even at full speed running on the break, he’s working at a pace all his own.
It’s not every rookie who come pre-packaged ready to run change of pace drives late in a game – albeit a preseason game.
It’s not every rookie who can play the passing lanes without getting himself out of position and hurting the team. It’s not every rookie who can play the same game no matter who he’s sharing the floor with. It’s not every rookie who can guard small and rebound big.
Nor is it every rookie who comes out creating corner threes with cross-court, on-the-move passes that plenty of veteran point guards never quite develop.
Those are easy enough plays to shrug off when the shots aren’t falling, but they’re the plays that signal a sense of awareness which so often goes undervalued. As the league puts a higher and higher premium on shooting with each offseason, and with defense always the apple in every coach’s eye, it’s passing that should continue to separate the best from the rest.
That’s what helped make the Warriors, Spurs and HEAT the Warriors, Spurs and HEAT.
No matter how good rookies are, it’s tough for them to have an overall positive court impact – at least by the numbers. There’s just too much to learn and it’s too long of a season. Winslow seems to have as good a chance at coming out of the year a plus as any, especially on a team with enough talent to give him time to grow. The shooting and efficient scoring should come, eventually, but all the other check marks are there.
And if you remain preoccupied with putting Winslow in a box so early in his career, at least make it a big one. Just don’t expect it to hold. Talent will roam.
