Sunday's Game 7 puts three of my top five playoff rookies center stage, suddenly.
When the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors face off on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/WatchESPN) for the right to play LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East finals, we'll be watching three rookies who've come a long way in one year.
This time last May, Norman Powell, Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow were preparing for the NBA draft. Powell and Winslow had just completed the NBA draft combine, while Richardson -- who wasn't invited to the combine -- was getting ready for individual workouts.
Twelve months later, the three rookies find themselves preparing for a very different kind of challenge: their teams' second Game 7 in as many playoff rounds.
Their contributions so far put Powell, Richardson and Winslow among my five most valuable rookies from this year's playoffs. Who else joins them to round out the list?
1. Justise Winslow
Heat
SF
2016 playoff stats:
6.3 PPG | 4.6 RPG
It's been an uneven postseason for Winslow. Better scouting in the playoffs has helped expose Winslow's poor outside shooting, rendering him a liability at times. Winslow fell completely out of Erik Spoelstra's rotation for Game 3 against Toronto.
In that game, however, the Heat lost starting center Hassan Whiteside to a sprained MCL. Since then, Winslow -- who measured 6-foot-4.5 in bare feet at the combine -- has been Miami's best option in the middle.
The Heat are outscoring the Raptors by 24.1 points per 100 possessions with Winslow as their center over the past three games, per NBA.com/Stats. With more traditional big men Udonis Haslem, Josh McRoberts and Amar'e Stoudemire in the middle, Miami has been outscored by 2.8 points per 100 possessions.
At center, Winslow's inconsistent jumper is less of an issue. And despite his height, Winslow has battled 7-footer Bismack Biyombo to a draw on the defensive glass. Playing the athletic Winslow in the middle has also given Spoelstra the option of switching because of his defensive versatility.
According to player-tracking data, Winslow is one of seven players to defend 50 pick-and-rolls in the playoffs against both the ballhandler and the screener, and he ranks among the top 15 in fewest points per chance allowed in either role.
2. Myles Turner
Pacers
PF
2016 playoff stats:
10.3 PPG | 3.3 BPG
Considered something of a project this time a year ago, the 20-year-old Turner proved more ready to contribute than expected and carried that over in the playoffs. His 3.3 blocks per game lead all players in the playoffs (Turner is also No. 1 in block percentage).
Turner had a tougher time dealing with Toronto's centers (Biyombo and Jonas Valanciunas) on the defensive glass, and his offense came and went in the series. He scored double figures four times, but also shot 2-for-13 in Game 4 and 2-for-11 in the deciding Game 7, during which the Pacers were outscored by 12 points with Turner on the floor.
Still, Turner's postseason offered plenty of reason to expect big things from him in future playoffs.
3. Josh Richardson
Heat
SG
2016 playoff stats:
6.9 PPG | 3.7 RPG
After making an incredible 55.3 percent of his 3-point attempts after the All-Star break, Richardson finally cooled off in the playoffs, shooting 37.2 percent beyond the arc. (Oddly, he's shot the exact same -- 16-of-43 -- from 2-point range as well.)
Nonetheless, Spoelstra has occasionally opted to finish games with Richardson at point guard instead of veteran starter Goran Dragic because of the rookie's precocious defense. When he does get beaten off the dribble, Richardson excels at using his size and leaping ability to block opponents' shots from behind. During the playoffs, he's blocked shots more frequently than teammate Dwyane Wade, the most prolific shot-blocking guard in NBA history.
According to NBA.com/Stats, the 20 "clutch" minutes Richardson has played in the playoffs (in the last five minutes with the margin five points or fewer) are the most of any rookie. Winslow (13) is the only other rookie to play more than five clutch minutes.
4. Norman Powell
Raptors
SF
2016 playoff stats:
4.3 PPG | 1.6 RPG
Like Richardson, Powell was a four-year college player drafted in the second round who has proven more ready to contribute immediately than expected. After starting 24 games during the regular season in place of injured DeMarre Carroll, Powell's defensive versatility allowed him to play a key role in the opening round even after Carroll returned.
The Raptors outscored the Pacers by 7.8 points per 100 possessions with Powell on the court, best of any Toronto regular, and he emerged as an unlikely stopper against the bigger Paul George. George averaged fewer points per 100 possessions when matched up against Powell than versus the Raptors' other primary defenders (Carroll and DeMar DeRozan), and Toronto allowed fewer team points per 100 possessions with Powell as George's primary defender as well.
There's been less of a place for Powell against the Heat, whose powerful guards have proven challenging for him to defend, but the Raptors might not be here at all without Powell's contributions against Indiana.
5. Justin Anderson
Mavericks
SG
2016 playoff stats:
9.4 PPG | 4.0 RPG
Because the Mavericks lost in five games to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round, Anderson's postseason has been over for awhile. The rookie certainly wasn't to blame, as Dallas was more competitive with him on the court than with any other member of the rotation.
In addition to credibly matching up with Kevin Durant, Anderson made 54.2 percent of his 2-point attempts and stuffed the stat sheet with 20 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks in 95 minutes of action -- an encouraging sign he'll be able to step into a larger role in year 2.
Honorable mention
Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons: No, Johnson never got in LeBron James' head during the Cleveland Cavaliers' four-game sweep, but his wing defense and unexpectedly hot 3-point shooting (6-of-10 from downtown) helped the Pistons stay in all four games.
Frank Kaminsky, Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets played their best ball against Miami with Kaminsky in the lineup, and his ability to score on smaller defenders in Game 3 provided a big lift offensively, but ultimately his shortcomings as a defensive rebounder and defending shooters on the perimeter proved costly.
Salah Mejri, Dallas Mavericks: The 29-year-old rookie, an international veteran, was Dallas' best center option in the postseason thanks to 70 percent shooting and strong shot blocking.