Duke’s Summer Practices Show Both Promise and Peril: “They Could Be Elite… If They Figure This One Thing Out”

Duke basketball is synonymous with excellence. The storied program, led by legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski for decades and now guided by Jon Scheyer, consistently churns out NBA-ready talent and deep NCAA Tournament runs. This summer, as Duke’s team gathers for practices and training sessions, a complex narrative is emerging — one that highlights how close this group is to greatness, and yet how far they still have to go.

The talent on this roster is undeniable. From dynamic scorers to versatile playmakers, the Blue Devils have all the pieces needed to contend with the nation’s best. However, a glaring weakness in stopping opponents has surfaced repeatedly in these summer sessions, threatening to undermine the team’s ceiling. The question is clear: Can Duke solve their defensive issues and become truly elite? The answer to that hinges on understanding and addressing one critical aspect of their game.

First, it’s important to acknowledge the offensive firepower and skill level that Duke brings to the table. This team is loaded with athletes who can score at all three levels — beyond the arc, mid-range, and at the rim. Their ball-handling and court vision make for an exciting brand of basketball that is capable of overwhelming defenses.

Key players who have been shining during summer practices exemplify this:

• Versatile Wings: Duke’s wings have shown an ability to create their own shots, slash to the basket, and stretch the floor with three-point shooting. Their size and agility make them a matchup nightmare.
• Point Guard Play: The point guard position looks particularly strong, with capable floor generals orchestrating the offense with pace and precision. Their ability to penetrate and kick out keeps defenses honest.
• Athletic Bigs: Duke’s big men bring length, rim protection, and rebounding prowess. They run the floor well and are developing shooting touch that spaces the floor further.

This offensive mix makes Duke a team that can put up points in bunches and control tempo when firing on all cylinders. They can execute intricate sets and fast breaks alike, giving them multiple ways to win games.

Despite the offensive arsenal, summer practices have revealed that stopping Duke’s offense is a major problem for their opponents — but paradoxically, Duke has shown a persistent inability to stop others. This defensive weakness is the crux of the team’s problem.

At first glance, this might seem like a minor or fixable issue, but digging deeper uncovers systemic challenges:

• Defensive Communication Breakdowns: Duke’s defense has often lacked cohesion. Players sometimes fail to communicate switches, rotations, or help defense properly. This leads to confusion and open looks for opponents.
• Transition Defense Struggles: While Duke excels pushing the ball on offense, they frequently get caught out of position on the defensive transition. This leads to easy fast-break points for the other team.
• Defensive Rebounding Deficiencies: Securing defensive boards is critical to ending opponent possessions. Duke’s summer practices have exposed inconsistent rebounding, allowing second-chance points that extend drives and demoralize defenses.
• Perimeter Defense and Closeouts: Opponents have found success knocking down open threes due to Duke’s inability to close out effectively. This makes Duke vulnerable against teams that can shoot from outside.
• Individual Defensive Mistakes: Duke’s young players are prone to lapses in defensive fundamentals—missed rotations, poor positioning, and fouling out of desperation—especially under pressure.

Defense is often described as the backbone of championship-caliber teams. While offense wins games, defense wins championships. Teams that can get stops when it matters most, slow down elite scorers, and limit second-chance opportunities elevate their play to a different level.

For Duke, the talent to score is a given, but the inability to consistently stop opponents will be exploited heavily come November and beyond. Summer practices have spotlighted this, as coaches stress defensive drills, video sessions highlight errors, and scrimmages expose vulnerabilities.

If Duke does not figure out this “one thing” — solid, consistent, and intelligent defense — their offensive firepower will only carry them so far.

To understand what Duke must fix, let’s analyze the defense from different angles:

On any good defense, players talk constantly. They call out screens, switches, rotations, and mismatches. This prevents confusion and ensures that every player knows their assignment.

Duke’s summer footage shows frequent moments where players are hesitant or silent. This creates gaps for opponents to exploit — easy drives, open shooters, and breakdowns in help defense.

To be elite, Duke must develop a culture of constant, clear communication. This starts in practice but must translate into games.

Duke’s offense thrives in transition, but that same quickness makes it easy for them to get caught out of position defensively. Missing assignments in transition leads to opponent fast breaks and easy points.

Improving transition defense requires discipline, conditioning, and a commitment to sprint back and set up. It also demands awareness—players must know when to stop and help or pick up their man.

This is an area where youth and inexperience hurt Duke, but it’s also one of the most teachable and fixable problems.

Second-chance points kill momentum and confidence. Duke’s rebounding in summer sessions has been uneven, allowing opponents extra possessions.

Rebounding is a fundamental effort and mentality issue. It requires boxing out and battling aggressively for the ball.

If Duke can become more tenacious on the boards, they will limit those costly second-chance opportunities and boost their transition offense as well.

In today’s game, defending the three-point line is critical. Duke’s defenders have struggled to close out shooters quickly and effectively, giving opponents rhythm from deep.

Improving closeouts, foot speed, and lateral quickness is key. More importantly, understanding when to switch and when to fight through screens can prevent defensive breakdowns.

Young players tend to make mistakes—fouling, overhelping, or losing focus. Duke’s roster has youth and inexperience that show up in defensive lapses.

Coaches must instill fundamentals, discipline, and toughness. Players must buy into defense as a collective responsibility, not an individual afterthought.

Duke’s emphasis on offense in recent years, combined with a roster turnover of freshmen and transfers, has contributed to this defensive inconsistency. Recruiting often prioritizes offensive talent, leaving defensive development as a secondary focus.

Additionally, coaching philosophies evolve, and Jon Scheyer is still relatively new in his head coaching role. Adjusting to scheme, teaching players who may be more scorer than defender, and creating defensive identity takes time.

The blueprint for Duke to become elite starts with commitment to defense on every level:

• Culture Shift: Establish defense as a team-wide priority, rewarded and celebrated equally with offense.
• Coaching Emphasis: Increase defensive drills, film sessions, and accountability in practice. Scheyer and assistants must communicate clear expectations.
• Player Buy-In: Leaders on the team must model defensive intensity and hold teammates accountable. Everyone needs to accept defense as a defining trait.
• System Adjustments: Implement defensive schemes that fit personnel strengths. This might mean more zone principles, switching, or trap defenses.
• Physical Conditioning: Improved stamina and quickness aid defense, particularly in transition and closeouts.
• Rebounding Focus: Stress boxing out and fighting for boards in every drill.

If Duke solves this defensive riddle, the team’s ceiling skyrockets. Imagine a roster loaded with offensive talent that also can:

• Get stops at critical moments
• Limit opponent three-point shooting
• Dominate the boards on both ends
• Control tempo with suffocating defense
• Play disciplined, smart, and physical basketball

Such a team would not just be a top-10 program — they’d be a national title favorite.

As the regular season approaches, keep a close eye on:

• How Duke performs in defensive drills and scrimmages
• The tone set by coaches and veteran players on defense
• Defensive statistics in early season games (opponent FG%, defensive rebounding %, forced turnovers)
• Whether the team can sustain defensive intensity for 40 minutes
• How freshmen and transfers adapt to defensive demands

Duke’s summer practices tell a compelling story. The talent is obvious. The offensive firepower could overwhelm any team. But without a complete and reliable defense, their potential will go unrealized.

They could be elite. They could compete for a championship. But only if they figure out this one thing: how to consistently stop others. Defense is the gateway to greatness, and Duke’s next chapter depends on cracking this code.