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Has Winslow found his Okafor with Adebayo for future success in Miami?

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Winslow and Okafor won a championship for Duke, now Justise may be served pairing with Adebayo.

NBA: Preseason-Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Recently Miami Heat found a way of creating player duos who mysteriously click together. The legendary Brothers Johnson, Tyler Johnson and James Johnson, manhandle whoever dares to stop them.

The Hassan Whiteside and Kelly Olynyk combo shows promise to blossom into a frontcourt nightmare against other teams. Kelly does great job in this video to clear the space for Hassan to finish at the rim.

In Wednesday's win over the Washington Wizards, Justise Winslow and Bam Adebayo showed how they meshed together, in a play straight out of Duke’s book: Tyus Jones to Winslow to Okafor. Here it’s Derrick Walton Jr to Winslow to Adebayo.

Adebayo already has the basic post-up moves from his time in Kentucky.

Winslow and Jahlil Okafor were a championship-level pair in their days at Duke University, but struggled in the NBA trying to do everything alone. Now Adebayo could be the complimentary teammate Winslow needs to be at his best.

Not only are their ages, 20 for Adebayo and 21 for Winslow, close, but they are both 1-and-done players from big-time collegiate programs. With two seasons in the NBA, Justise can school Bam on the reality of going from one year in college to facing NBA professionals at only 20 years old. Besides he can tease Bam about him not being able to go to bar and buy a drink.

The promise of a tantalizing chemistry to develop plays instinctively, hints they could become double-double machines in Miami for years to come.

  • Winslow - doubles-doubles in rebounds and assists
  • Adebayo - double-doubles in rebounds and points

Winslow loves initiating plays and running an offense, when given a chance. His high basketball IQ and caring personality (Robin's House) fits perfectly with being a facilitator on the court. Jordan Year believes Winslow should become Heat’s point guard as Goran Dragic winds down his minutes. Year gives a couple of examples of Winslow’s gift for assists (without Bam): elegant, simple, perfect passes, 3 points.

2nd favorite pass from Justise came here.

Iverson cut (decoy) for RMG, flows into PnR out of HORNS.

Justise gets the step, anticipates Wall closing off right corner (MIA's primary relief valve to keep chain moving), flings it to Mickey for 3. J.Smith didn't know what hit him.


Miami ran this set down the stretch, like, five straight times. This was probably my favorite possession.

Good screen. Justise puts the defender in jail, freezes the help with an extra bounce before firing a dart to the corner.

Let. Him. Create.

Getting the constant nagging about his shot off his back, springs Winslow free to get assists and rebound double-doubles, while Adebayo would serve as Justise's go-to finisher at the rim. Adebayo, under the tutelage of Juwan Howard, could morph into a post-up powerhouse who has a knack for drawing shooting fouls. As a bonus, they provide serious muscle on the boards for rebounds.

The combo of Winslow and Okafor worked at Duke, now it's time for Winslow and Adebayo to shine in Miami. At 21 and 20, they could fuel the Heat for a long time to come.

They may even be as good as the Brothers Johnson someday.