Mailbag: Should Justise Winslow play off Heat’s bench? Why it’s too early to answer.
The Miami Herald Heat mailbag is here to answer your questions.
If you weren’t able to ask this time, send your questions for future mailbags via Twitter (@Anthony_Chiang). You can also email them to achiang@miamiherald.com.
@PulseLivid: Is the Heat’s best option to run Justise Winslow off the bench?
Anthony Chiang: I’m not sure yet. We still don’t know what this Heat team looks like at full strength. During the first 17 games of the season, Jimmy Butler and Winslow have played just 26 minutes together. The trio of Bam Adebayo, Butler and Winslow have played 24 minutes together. Before we make any determination on Winslow’s role, let’s wait to see what this looks like once the Heat’s core can finally play consistent minutes together.
One thing I do know is this team, as presently constructed, needs Winslow in order to compete against quality teams. Whether he’s coming off the bench or starting, Winslow’s versatility on defense and his playmaking ability on offense help the Heat.
Yes, it has not been a great shooting start for Winslow. He entered Friday averaging 13.2 points on 37.8 percent shooting from the field and 3-of-15 shooting on threes. But let’s not forget that Winslow posted a team-best plus/minus of plus-119 last season and is a plus-46 in the six games he has played this season. The Heat just seems to be a better team with Winslow on the court.
@lilandi: What’s going on with James Johnson?
Anthony: When the roster is close to full health, Johnson is just not part of the Heat’s rotation right now. The 32-year-old has played in just six of the Heat’s first 17 games, and three of those appearances have included fewer than 10 minutes of playing time.
With the Heat’s power rotation including Adebayo, Meyers Leonard, Kelly Olynyk and even two-way contract player Chris Silva, there isn’t room for Johnson at the moment. Could that change? Sure. We have seen coach Erik Spoelstra make multiple in-season changes to his rotation before.
Chris: What has been the most surprising aspect of the Heat’s season so far?
Anthony: There are so many. Besides the 12-5 start, there is the emergence of undrafted rookie Kendrick Nunn, the Heat’s dominant 7-0 start at home and Silva’s contributions.
But to me, there is nothing more surprising than the Heat’s drastic improvement on offense from last season. Miami entered Friday with the league’s 14th-best offensive rating, third-best team shooting percentage (48) and second-best three-point shooting percentage (38.8).
It looks like a totally different Heat offense than the one that finished last season ranked 26th in points (105.7), 22nd in shooting percentage (45) and 21st in three-point shooting percentage (34.9).
The addition of an All-Star talent like Butler has helped. But it has been the addition of rookies Tyler Herro and Nunn that has really given the Heat’s offense an unexpected lift.
