ACC: Duke’s X-Factor
The play started like any run-of-the-mill fast break. Duke was taking on Stanford at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. They were winning 51-39 at the time, in a game where they would eventually cruise to an 11-point victory.
Stanford guard Chasson Randle led the break against a scrambling Duke defense. It appeared he would have himself a somewhat east lay-up, until a Duke player sprung up to block the shot, completely hurdling Randle in the process.
However, the outstanding display of athleticism would be in vain. Sadly, Randle had already been fouled by Quinn Cook so the block would not count. But it was still impressive. That player was small forward Justise Winslow, and that play was just a taste of what he brings to this Duke Blue Devils team.
After touting him the entire preseason, I have unfairly ignored Winslow early this year. Winslow may not have the polish of Jahlil Okafor, the swagger of Quinn Cook, or the poise of Tyus Jones, but he is just as important to the success of the team. He’s not the type of player that’s going to win ACC Player of the Year, he’s the type of player you win championships with.
Finding an appropriate NBA comparison for Winslow has proved difficult. Some analysts have compared him to James Harden during games, but the only real comparison they share is being left-handed. Others, including myself, have compared him to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with a better jump-shot, but that still feels a bit off track.
There’s a smoothness to his game that MKG did not have during his time at Kentucky. Regardless of who his perfect NBA comparison is, he is a fantastic talent and possesses a diverse skillset.
Winslow’s play is sometimes reckless (his shot selection can be questionable on occasion), but yet somehow he is still controlled. He is the definition of the clichéd “high motor” player.
He’s always looking to make the right play at the right time, whether it’s grabbing an offensive rebound, picking up the ball-handler on a fast break, whipping a pass inside to Okafor, knocking down a big three-point shot out of an Okafor double-team, or rotating from the weak side to blast a shot into the stands.
Offensively, he is at his best when slashing to the basket for earth shattering dunks or to draw a foul. The biggest question mark on Winslow coming into his freshman season, was his outside shooting. He has calmed those concerns so far, by making 16 of 41 three-pointers in his first thirteen games.
Saturday afternoon, Duke took on Boston College at Cameron Indoor Stadium for their first ACC game of the season. As usual, Okafor stole the show with a dominant 28 point and 8 rebound game. Winslow did what he always does, he quietly had a fantastic game of his own.
Heading into the game, Winslow was averaging 12.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, all the while shooting 38.5 percent from outside. Against Boston College, he finished 5-of-7 from the floor, scoring 13 points. He also brought down seven rebounds, contributed four assists, and blocked two shots.
It was a great representation of the all-around game Winslow possesses.
When the season ends, Winslow will join Jones and Okafor on their way to the NBA. Each will likely be first-round draft picks, and if I had to bet, successful NBA players. Currently, Winslow is projected to be the sixth overall pick by DraftExpress.com.
If he stays on his current trajectory and proves his early season success from three-point range was not a fluke, he could sneak his way into the top five.
Until then, he will continue to quietly give Duke exactly what they need while Okafor dominates down low and grabs the headlines.