Miami Heat: 3 goals for Duncan Robinson’s 2020-21 season

For Robinson to be able to close out games consistently, the Miami Heat will need him to up his defense

Everyone knows what a great offensive player Robinson is. There is no question that he is one of the most important offensive players for the Miami Heat.

He provides so many things for the team on the offensive end, but there’s the other end of basketball too.

Now, the most casual fan will probably tell you that he is an absolute liability and can’t defend at all, which is wrong. Robinson isn’t a great defender, nor is he a complete liability.

You will see that if you watch him consistently, but impact metrics also agree. Both PIPM, Player Impact Plus-Minus, and RAPTOR have him being around a neutral defender.

Being a neutral defender is not enough though. Although he isn’t as bad as many people think, he does tend to pick up some fouls, especially early in the game.

In both the regular season and the playoffs, he commits the most fouls on the team in the 1st quarter and in the 1st half.

By committing so many quick fouls, it affects the rotation, gets the opponent to the line, and keeps Robinson off rhythm because he has to sit out. This can be because he won’t get respect from the referees, but also because of his defensive skills.

Opponents target Robinson and this won’t stop unless he shows them otherwise. The goal isn’t to become a lockdown defender or even one of the best at his position but just to improve to the point where players won’t go at him specifically.