After coming off of the greatest catch and shooting season in NBA history for the Miami Heat, Duncan Robinson has struggled this year. But wasn’t that the expectation?
Robinson spoiled us last year with his god like shooting. Last year, when Robinson would miss a three it was like when your grandparents said no to you.
You were simply shocked by the result. Obviously, Robinson would regress a little bit this year, which he has, shooting the three at 39.4 percent this season compared to last season’s 44.6.
But that’s not what I am concerned about. Shooters always go on hot and cold streaks, as that’s apart of the game.
The Miami Heat have huge decisions to make with Duncan Robinson, many millions of them.
My concerns are with Robinson’s contract situation. That might be inside his head because whether or not its the Miami Heat re-signing him or not, he is due for a massive pay raise from his $1.6 million to something that can safely be projected in the $15-$18 million dollar range.
Could that be a factor in Robinson’s struggle, perhaps? To me, Robinson is playing tight and lacking confidence this year.
At the beginning of the year, Robinson’s release looked quicker, but that seems forever ago at this point. I don’t know the numbers right off but again, to me, Robinson has gotten better defensively and especially at taking charges, even though the referees don’t give him the call.
To be fair, we all know that the referees do not give Robinson the benefit of the doubt. The biggest reason as to why he’s struggling on the other side this year with his shot though is this.
Defenses have made it harder for Robinson to get going. He’s made the opposing scouting reports at this point.
Defenders are doing a better job at getting over screens and the dribble hand- off’s, with most teams switching the hand-off so the opposing big is getting switched to Robinson. Since Robinson doesn’t do much off of the dribble, he gets caught in no mans land sometimes.
The dribble hand-off stuff is volatile but for the most part this year, Robinson is just a floor spacer, which is fine but if you’re Miami, you can’t pay a floor spacer what Robinson will get on the open market.
Surprisingly, Robinson’s pretty good finishing at the rim and has tried to put the ball on the floor a little more to shoot the mid-range jumper as well. Personally, I would like to see Robinson cutting back door more and especially since teams are running him off the three point line.
Basically, I’d like to see him switch it up more. Robinson needs to see the ball go in the basket a bit more here as we move forward to get his confidence back.
He still needs to let it fly from deep, as again, shooters go though ups and downs. Miami’s front office has a situation on their hands when it comes to him though and that’s for certain.
Do you pay him $15-$18 million or do you put him on the trade block to see what you can get back for him? Hopefully, he starts to figure it out but if not, does Miami look to move him?
I think this road trip is where we might find out. Keep your eyes peeled.