You have undoubtedly noticed a noteworthy trend for wing Duncan Robinson if you have watched the Miami Heat over the past three seasons or so. Three years ago, Robinson received a $90 million (during five years) salary in free agency from the Heat; however, in the years that followed, Robinson appeared to decline. It got worse for his defense, which was never very good to begin with. He also abruptly lost his shooting, which was his only strength according to coach Erik Spoelstra.
Robinson was hardly used by Spoelstra by the previous season, and it was evident. He appeared in just 42 games and averaged just 16.5 minutes per game. With Tyler Herro sidelined for a while during the previous season’s playoffs, Robinson returned to the game. And he started to resemble the guy to who the Heat paid that large contract; he averaged 9.0 points, made 44.2% of his 3-point shots, and had a strong enough defensive game to be worth playing time.
Robinson has continued to do so. That was amply demonstrated on Friday night during the Heat’s victory over Atlanta. Robinson had an extremely efficient game, going 8 for 11 from the field and 4 for 7 from behind the 3-point line in addition to making all seven of his free throws.
All things considered, Duncan Robinson’s numbers for this season have improved. On 49.7% of his shots overall and 44.7% from beyond the 3-point arc, he is scoring 15.0 points on average. Compared to his 6.4 points, 37.1% shooting, and 32.8% 3-point shooting from the field last year, that is a huge difference.
However, this figure—234—probably best captures how much better Robinson has been for the Miami Heat this season. Through 28 games this year, that is the amount of time Erik Spoelstra has had Robinson on the court during the fourth quarter. Spo played Robinson 214 minutes in the fourth quarter of the previous season.
Robinson has improved both on and off the ball. He has played better defense.
“They are an explosive offensive team that runs a lot of different things at full speed. He had a tough cover in Bogdan Bogdanovic,” Spoelstra remarked. He had that track-down rebound in front of the bench and was able to be in the right places. And then, offensively, focusing on all the various menu items and aspects of development that were sorely needed in that fourth quarter. He had a few classic dribble hand-offs while moving and a few where he was the screener. In essence, he called the move in which he screened and slid to the edge.
Erik Spoelstra Has Miami Heat Options
This season, Robinson has focused more on getting into the paint and cutting to the rim. According to Basketball-Reference.com, he is making 17.5% of his shots from three feet or less of the rim, which is more than twice his career average of 8.4%. His seven free throws were a season high.
It has undoubtedly received attention in terms of development. I’m just attempting to be a more diverse player and not too one-dimensional. Simply apply multiple layers of pressure to the defense, advised Robinson.
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