National Basketball Association

Report: Justise Winslow has improved his jumpshot

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Miami Heat and Justise Winslow have been encouraged with the improvement.

Justise Winslow had a strong rookie season for the Miami Heat, proving already to be one of the better on-ball defenders in the NBA. To take the next step, however, Winslow needs to improve his outside jumper.

Winslow shot 42.2 percent last season, including 27.6 percent from three-point range. If he’s to live up to anything close to the Kawhi Leonard, Paul George comparisons of him, that will need to improve.

According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, Winslow has been working with a shooting specialist this summer, and the Heat are “very encouraged” by his progress.

One Heat staffer said his stroke, release and rhythm are looking a lot better.

“You will see a major difference; he can be a special player,” that person said.

Winslow declined to identify the shooting coach but said he is “pretty pleased” with the results and that he’s working on his jumper during the early mornings and late at night.

The coach has made mechanical changes to his stroke, Winslow said: “Just smoothing things out. I am pretty confident. I like the way it’s going.”

Of course, this doesn’t mean anything until it’s been proven on the court. It’s easy enough to drain some shots in an empty gym. It’s another thing entirely to stick to those new mechanics under duress–with a hand in your face or defender closing in, in front of 20,000 cheering fans.

With that said, few people around the NBA doubt Winslow, just 20 years old, will develop a better shot. Luol Deng’s and Joe Johnson’s departure coupled with Winslow’s ability to defend at a high level will keep him on the court, where he’ll have an opportunity to continue practicing that jumper.