The Orlando Magic have long been connected with guard Justise Winslow. The Duke freshman rose the ranks quickly thanks to his commitment to defense.
From the time the NCAA Tournament ended with Duke lifting the national championship trophy, the focus turned toward its two big stars from the NCAA Tournament run.
Jahlil Okafor was always the number one guy on just about every draft board. If not one, then two. All the eyes were focused on him from the moment he stepped foot on campus in Durham.
It took a little while for Justise Winslow to break onto the scene. He needed to get some notice. And he earned every bit of it.
All U Can Heat
Winslow averaged 12.6 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor and 41.8 percent from beyond the arc. What was even more impressive was how he came on strong as the season came to a close. During the ACC and NCAA Tournament, Winslow averaged 13.5 points per game and shot 51.4 percent and 52.9 percent from beyond the arc for a 57.9 percent effective field goal percentage.
His offensive game within that Duke system was one of efficiency. He certainly had the space with all the weapons around him.
But he also took the role of creator too. In transition he could attack the basket and create his own shots.
More than anything else though, he made his name on the defensive end of the floor. Whereas Jahlil Okafor has admitted in the pre-Draft process that Mike Krzyzewski asked him to focus less on his defense to stay out of foul trouble, Winslow was asked to defend from the get-go.
He made his mark as much on that end as he did on the offensive end. Obviously he was not the focal point on offense with Jahlil Okafor there and a solid point guard in Tyus Jones. But when Winslow needed to step up, he was there and he developed a strong offensive game as the season progressed.
Winslow, among the freshman in the class, might be the most complete player and most ready to compete in the NBA today. For that reason, he has long been the focus for fans as a potential match with the Magic.
Next: The Good
The Good
You always have to like a guy who steps up in the NCAA Tournament when things are at their most pressure packed. Winslow cemented his place among the top prospects in the NBA Draft during that three-week stretch.
However, most of Winslow’s work came in the season before, where he cut his teeth on the defensive end and found a way to contribute to his team even without the ball. For many college stars, this is the most difficult thing for them to learn.
In the end, it is his two-way play and versatility which makes him valuable and seems to have him poised for such a strong career.
Finding a young player with that kind of desire to be a great defender and who can work without the ball while still having the ability to score at such a high level is a rare thing indeed. That is why so many are high on him. And for good reason. Winslow really seems like the whole package.
In the open floor, there may not be a better player. At full speed, he finds space to get himself to the basket so he can finish. With the ball in his hands, Winslow found himself to be pretty effective.
It is his ability to drive and cut his way through traffic that really stood out. It honestly looks like James Harden at times with how he creates space at full speed. He has the Euro step and step through moves a great finisher needs to succeed.
When Winslow gets going with a full head of steam, he is very difficult to stop and very capable of scoring.
But it is his defense that makes him stand out more than anything else. He was the rock of Krzyzewski’s defense at Duke last year, often taking the best perimeter player on the opposing team.
Justin Anderson shot just 4 for 11 in Virginia’s lone game against Duke. He helped hold Jerian Grant to seven points on 3-for-10 shooting after Grant scored 23 and dished out 12 assists in the team’s first meeting with Notre Dame. Terry Rozier shot 5 for 16 in Louisville’s game against Duke.
A lot of those guys are point guards, so not exactly Winslow’s forte. Tyus Jones certainly had a hand in defending them. But Winslow has the versatility to guard many of those guys and he does a good job on his assigned man.
This is a guy that gets the team concept, particularly on the defensive end, and that is a rare thing to find. It makes him instantly valuable along with the offensive skill he possesses.
Next: The Bad
The Bad
For as much as Winslow did a lot of good things spacing the floor and attacking off the dribble for Duke, he has his detractors on both ends of the floor.
The biggest concern is his shooting, believe it or not.
Winslow shot 41.8 percent from beyond the arc, but took only 110 3-point attempts, about 2.8 per game. He is able to hit the three, but it is not the main part of his game. He is going to use the 3-pointer to create space to drive the lane and attack the basket. That is what he ultimately wants to do.
Push the 3-point line a little farther back and the questions begin to arise.
Winslow shot just 64.1 percent from the foul line. Not a horrible percentage, but not a great one either. It does suggest some issues with his shot. Can he push back to the NBA 3-point line and truly spread the floor? That is a serious question. And Winslow is going to be trying to get to the foul line a lot.
His shooting is going to be something to continue to watch develop.
The Magic also appear to be looking at him as a small forward. His size there is going to be of some concern.
Winslow measured at 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-4 without shoes. That part is not necessarily the part that is important when it comes to Winslow. He will be able to play small forward in spurts or defend almost any wing player.
However, there are going to be guys he will not be able to defend, and unlike in college, he is not going to physically overpower every player he faces. I mean, just imagine Winslow having to check Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James. Those might be extreme examples, but they will be part of the group Winslow has to be able to defend on a nightly basis.
Winslow saw a lot of his success in small-ball lineups as the power forward. He was able to match up and use his strength to attack and dominate at that level. It does not seem like he would do that at the NBA level as consistently.
If there is someplace where there can be some criticism with Winslow it is that he may not be a great fit should he be relied on to be a small forward. He would probably fit best as a shooting guard on the team where he can guard people more his size as he gains NBA strength.
This might be picking nits or breaking his game down a bit too far. He is a very good player and a great defender. Even with his work ethic and desire to play defense, there are some legitimate questions about him scaling up to the NBA small forward position at all facets of his game.
Next: Brett's Take
Brett’s Take
"Most of all, Justise Winslow would fill a need in Orlando. The Magic desperately need a top-flight defender at the wing, and Aaron Gordon has only shown individual efforts and snapshots of brilliance that may or may not equate to much. Winslow is quick and could keep even the speediest guards in front of him. He could defend 2s and 3s, and he has the lateral foot speed to help Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton wreak havoc defensively on the perimeter. Winslow is great in transition, and the Magic played their best ball when they got out on the break. Winslow could function as a ball handler on the break or fill passing lanes for exciting finishes. He is proven to be a good decision maker, which should help him keep his turnovers down in the pros. Winslow has soft touch around the basket and is good at finishing through contact. Given the Magic’s comedy of errors trying to get to the line this year, having a guy who is naturally adept at drawing contact would fill a major void for the Magic."
Next: Draft Sites Say
Draft Sites Say
"Big time athlete with elite level speed and athleticism … Shows the ability to score in a variety of ways, with spot up shooting as well as scoring off the dribble … Can finish at the rim with highlight dunks, and does a good job of utilizing his great body strength to absorb contact. Throughout his high school and AAU career he flashed tremendous talent but struggled to sustain a high level of consistency … Can lose focus at times during games, but has been a lot more consistent and prepared then expected … He needs to continue to show a high level of aggression and intensity in order to realize his immense talent."
"Considered somewhat of an afterthought in the Duke recruiting class highlighted by Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones,Justise Winslow didn’t take long to show the college basketball world and NBA scouts alike that he’s one of the best players in the NCAA. After a strong start, Winslow hit a bit of a road bump midway through the season, partially due to injury, not really finding his stride until he started seeing extended playing time at the power forward spot, which really opened up Duke’s offense. Winslow played his absolute best basketball late in the year as Duke won the NCAA Tournament, highlighted by a few stellar performances that raised his stock firmly into the Top-10 and possibly even higher."
"A power athlete who explodes off the floor and throws it down with tenacity. Is very creative with the ball and has terrific body control and hang time. Is also very efficient and precise with his movements, no wasted energy. A bit slow on his shooting release and needs to continue to expand his range and improve his accuracy from outside."
"Winslow’s two-way game is a very good fit for the roster being built on defense, even if Orlando re-signs Tobias Harris as a free agent. Winslow is a highlight-reel athlete who had big moments in the tournament after an inconsistent regular season. He can be a good shooter and a very good defender, all with a very high ceiling. The big question: Could the Magic go Emmanuel Mudiay a year after drafting Elfrid Payton or Willie Cauley-Stein a year after taking Aaron Gordon and look to trade down the line?"
"Label me intrigued by a 1-2-3 combination of Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo and Winslow in Orlando. That’s the type of young core that could do big things in the Eastern Conference in the next three years — especially if Winslow turns into the star so many believe he has the potential to become."
"It seems unlikely that Aaron Gordon will be a long-term solution at the small forward position unless he becomes a good outside shooter. Pairing him with Justise Winslow at the two forward positions could give you a lightning quick pair of forwards who can turn opposing teams on their heads on both ends of the floor."
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report
"Justise Winslow, who recently worked out for Orlando, offers the Magic a potential lockdown wing defender, along with plenty of offensive upside as a slasher, attacker and shooter. Though the Magic won’t be looking to fill a specific position, Winslow also happens to be a quality insurance policy if Tobias Harris’ price rises too high in restricted free agency this summer."
"The top four picks are no-brainers in some order, but question marks begin at five. Some wonder whether Winslow’s tweener size fits well in the NBA. One college coach who recruited him told me he doesn’t see that one thing that Winslow does at an elite level. I’d counter that he does a whole lot of things pretty damn well. He can get to the rim and shoot the three, but his best attribute might be his defensive versatility. Orlando could go about a half-dozen different ways here."
Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated
"The Magic covet Porzingis—and sources say Orlando is the preferred destination of Porzingis’s camp—but it’s looking likely the Magic will have to trade up to get him. Winslow is a reasonable alternative. The Magic backcourt is crowded but a defensive minded swingman who has been favorably compared to Jimmy Butler is tough to pass up. European guard Mario Hezonja is another option."
"The Orlando Magic have one of the most promising young cores in the NBA today. Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton make up a backcourt of two-way stars in the making, while Nikola Vucevic is a borderline star at center. The question is, how much does Orlando trust Tobias Harris to anchor the future at either small or power forward? Regardless of how they may feel about Harris at the 3, there’s one player whom they can trust to help round out their perimeter: Justise Winslow of the Duke Blue Devils. Winslow’s offensive upside has been debated, but his defensive potential is nothing short of elite. The difference between he and a prospect—not current NBA player—such as Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is that his offensive game is already reasonably proficient. Winslow can shoot when his feet are set and he displayed throughout the NCAA Tournament that he can both facilitate and scorer as a slasher. This move would give Orlando a dominant defensive trio along the perimeter."
Next: Final Take
Final Take
Every team in the league would be fortunate to have a guy like Justise Winslow on their team. He really had to work hard to get his name this high in the Draft discussion.
It is so rare to find freshman with his amount of talent that are wholly committed to the defensive end of the floor and willing to cut their teeth at that end. Winslow will make a solid defender if he keeps that work ethic up. There seems no doubt about it.
Where there are doubts is with his offense and whether he can carry over the slashing style he quickly perfected at Duke over to the NBA. Typically height and size are not things to be too worried about. But if you want to play him at the small forward position, he needs to add some bulk and really prove he can hold his own.
Jimmy Butler had similar questions on both ends and has flourished. Why couldn’t Winslow?
There seems no reason to believe Winslow will not find a way to be successful. He has all the skills and the determination to do so. All the weaknesses you find in his game are warranted, but not overly concerning. He can find a way to fit in.
Winslow has shown he has the defensive potential and several offensive skills that can translate to the next level. Get him in the open court and he should be able to finish. Give him an open jumper and he should be able to make it. Give him a defensive challenge, and (with time) he should be able to be a tough guy to score against.
This is exact kind of thing you want with a high draft pick.