A season ago, Justise Winslow and Duke were closing out the regular season before making a successful run at the National Championship.  A year later, Justise Winslow is playing his best basketball of the season for the surging Miami Heat.

WInslow has played in 63 games to date and has been a big part of the Miami Heat rotation in his first NBA season.  His numbers currently stand at 6.2 points per game, 5,3 rebounds a contest in 28,1 minutes played.  But this numbers are soaring as are the Heat since he has taken on a larger role.

The Heat are on a three game winning streak and a big part of their success has been the play of the former Duke star.  In those three games, Winslow has scored 13, 14 and 15 points,  The Heat coaches are now going to him more on the offensive end and Winslow is responding.

Winslow has also seen his minutes increase as he becomes more acclimated the the NBA.  In last nights Heat win over the Indiana Pacers, Winslow up these numbers -- 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in 40 minutes of play.

In just his first season, Winslow found his way into the Heat rotation as a defensive stopper.   He has often been selected to guard the best in the game and players who are much older.  You cannot always measure a players defensive value with stats, but WInslow is making a name for himself as a hard-nosed player with a good motor.

Look for Winslow to continue to get more looks as the season progresses.  His outstanding numbers in the last three games, all of which are Miami Heat victories, has helped his team rise to third place in the standings of the Eastern Conference,

Duke fans certainly know the value Winslow added in their fifth national championship under Mike Krzyzewski.  And my bet is that one day he will be a part of something big in the NBA as well.