All U Can Heat
Fansided

Miami Heat: Duncan Robinson, Yante Maten and Kendrick Nunn season grade and recap

By Tristan Tucker

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 08: Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat in action against the Orlando Magic during the second half at American Airlines Arena on October 8, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 08: Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat in action against the Orlando Magic during the second half at American Airlines Arena on October 8, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
miami heat
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 08: Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat in action against the Orlando Magic during the second half at American Airlines Arena on October 8, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

While players like Goran Dragic, Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson can move season to season, knowing that they have secured jobs, others on the Miami Heat roster do not have that luxury, and have to continue to prove themselves all season long.

The Miami Heat have three players in particular that fit into this category: Duncan Robinson, Yante Maten and Kendrick Nunn.

Duncan Robinson

Robinson, aged 25, is older than Nunn, Maten, Justise Winslow, Derrick Jones Jr. and Bam Adebayo, and will be older than the rookie that Miami selects in this years draft, but was still a rookie last season.

However, age is not a concern for this prospect because of his tremendous shooting skillset. Robinson shot just under 42 percent from deep on 4.9 attempts per game for his entire Michigan career.

Robinson’s 3-point shot was the reason the Heat signed him to a two-way contract, as he was projected by many to become the replacement for former Miami Heat marksman Wayne Ellington.

Robinson’s 3-point shot is not the only reason he gained attention from the Heat. Instead, Robinson is deceivingly athletic with an impressive 6’8” height, even though he is a wing (primarily shooting guard), and he weighs in at 215 lbs.

The rookie from Michigan had a greatly impressive season in the G-League, and was just the third player converted from a two-way contract to a standard contract, following Jones Jr. and Maten.

In his rookie G-League season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Robinson averaged 21.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, three assists, one steal and only 1.7 turnovers in 36.9 minutes. Most impressive though, is the fact that the rookie shot 48.3 percent on nearly ten (!) 3-point attempts per game. This resulted in an insanely impressive 69.4 percent true shooting percentage on only 18.6 percent usage.

These ridiculous stats did not translate as smoothly to the NBA as Robinson had wanted, but he did only play 161 total minutes in his rookie year. His most impressive game came when he had the most extended run, Dwyane Wade’s final game against the Brooklyn Nets.

In the game, Robinson recorded 15 points, five rebounds and three assists, shooting 41.7 percent from the floor. This was done in a blowout game, but was used to see what Robinson and Maten could bring to the table in the midst of Dwyane Wade’s final game.

For the most part however, Robinson seemed a little shaken when he was on the court in just 15 appearances, so he never really got that consistent shot that he continuously displayed at Michigan and in Sioux Falls to show with the Heat. Even with one start, there was not enough to be shown of Robinson to warrant more than a C.

Heat grade: C-

G-League grade: A+

Home/Heat News