Winslow’s embodiment of Heat culture a key in earning extension
MIAMI — The Miami Heat culture is strong within Justise Winslow, and that’s instrumental in why he is locked in with the franchise for three more years beyond this season.
It’s the major takeaway one can surmise in talking to three people whose opinions on the matter go a long way — Udonis Haslem, Dwyane Wade and coach Erik Spoelstra — after the forward, entering his fourth NBA season, secured a three-year, $39 million extension with the team on Friday and signed on Saturday.
“When you talk about the culture, he’s one of the guys who embodies this culture and can carry this culture moving forward,” said Haslem, the 16-year Heat lifer and power forward/center.
Guard Dwyane Wade is proud of Winslow, knowing some of the struggles he had before seeing improvements come to fruition toward the end of last season.
“It’s great when you see young guys, when you know the work they put in, and also you know their capabilities,” Wade said. “And Justise, for him to go through shoulder surgery and everything he went through, to be down a little bit and then to come back the way he did and have a hell of a playoff, and then to be rewarded for it.
“He loves it here. He’s going to continue to grow, so I’m excited for him.”
Spoelstra takes pride in the player Winslow is turning into, having him in his system over the previous three years.
“It’s great, especially when you spend so much time developing with a player. On his end and our end, you want to see it through,” Spoelstra said. “We’re just starting to see now some of the real improvement with Justise. He’s been able to be in our system healthy and growing as a player, but getting accustomed to our culture and our system.”
For his career, Winslow is a 7.5 points-per-game scorer, averaging 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists. In five games last postseason against the Philadelphia 76ers, he averaged 9.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, shooting 36.8 percent on 3-pointers and playing standout defense in 25 minutes per game.
Ellington hopes to play in opener
After missing the entire six-game preseason slate, guard Wayne Ellington said he is “optimistic” he can play in Wednesday’s regular-season opener at the Orlando Magic as he’s dealing with a sore left ankle.
“I don’t want to give my full word,” said Ellington, who led the Heat last year with 227 3-pointers made. “But I’m hoping so.”
Ellington said it was more of a precaution than a setback that caused him to be limited late last week in practice after being a full participant on Tuesday before missing exhibitions on Wednesday and Friday.
“We want to make sure I’m fully healthy, and when I get out there, I’m able to stay out there and there are no setbacks when I do get out there,” he said. “It’s fully a precaution and preparing for the regular season.”
Forward James Johnson, who is also recovering from sports hernia surgery, and swingman Derrick Jones Jr. each sat out Miami’s practice because they were out sick with a cold. Spoelstra said everyone else was able to go in the “medium” Sunday practice that didn’t involve contact.
Sunday Funday
Wade and Haslem led a group of Heat players that attended Sunday’s NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears after practice.
Wade had a Bears shirt under his jacket and Haslem had a Dolphins hat ready for the occasion before heading out.
“We’re going back and forth already,” Haslem said before players left AmericanAirlines Arena for Hard Rock Stadium. “I was saying whoever wins gets 100 percent of the 800 Degrees (their restaurant in Aventura) proceeds, but he didn’t want to agree to that, so we’ll figure out something.”
“It’s going to be a healthy conversation going on, but this is good,” Wade said. “We all love football. For me, getting an opportunity to see my hometown team come to the city that I live in, you know, and associate myself with. And then get to talk a little stuff. I know a lot of guys on the team, as well. It’s all in fun.”
Wade had himself an enjoyable final weekend before the start of the NBA season. On Saturday night, he saw friend and comedian Kevin Hart perform at AmericanAirlines Arena. Poking fun at the diminutive Hart, Wade presented him with a miniature jersey as a joke.