Miami Heat: Not Tons Of Concern About Duncan Robinson’s Shooting Slump

The Miami Heat have improved to a 2-1 record after defeating the Orlando Magic, 107-90. Bouncing back from an overtime loss in Indiana, the Heat returned to the FTX Arena on Monday, once again showing glimpses of a possible title contender and especially with their improved pace and defensive instincts.

However, there’s been moments where the Heat have seemed disorganized and frantic.

In a vortex of high turnover rates, poor shooting stretches, and unfulfilled offensive possessions in comparison to opening night against Milwaukee, Miami limited those mistakes on Monday and will embark on a difficult portion of their early-season schedule with momentum.

The only possible exception would be Duncan Robinson, the Heat’s fourth-year guard and elite NBA sharpshooter, who’s seen a rough start through his first three outings.

Combining his preseason numbers, Robinson has converted on just 21 of his 62 attempts from beyond the arc, but the issue is that he’s missed certain looks that he’s extremely capable of making.

Miami Heat: Not Tons Of Concern About Duncan Robinson’s Shooting Slump

To get a clearer understanding, the numbers might be necessary. Here are some of the key figures for Duncan Robinson.

DUNCAN ROBINSON’S SHOOTING NUMBERS:

• 2021 Preseason (5 Games): 10.6 points, 42 percent field-goal, 38 percent three-point, 60 percent True Shooting
• 2021-22 Season (3 Games): 10.7 points, 36 percent field-goal, 32 percent three-point, 51 percent True Shooting
• Key Metric-6-for-20 total for catch-and-shoot jump-shots.

As a result of his his low-shooting efficiencies, some early season criticism has shown up for Robinson, who committed to re-sign with Miami on a five-year extension in August at $90 million. Premature reactions are warranted and they’ve circled around Duncan’s outlook, mostly the nature of opposing defenses, perhaps, adjusting to him.

To struggle in the single area where he’s spectacular at, it isn’t much of a surprise for viewers to already have their doubts. However, that adversity is no different than that in which Robinson, now 27, has already faced in his career.

Playing four years in college, to an undrafted rookie fighting to see NBA minutes (let alone making a roster), and just recently ascending from trade rumors that stretched through much of last season, he’s been tested. Heck, some of those rumors even extended into this past offseason.

The expectation for Robinson now lies in improving his game to unseen heights though. That would be things like the ability to consistently knock down the jumper off of different and multiple platforms, such as the following.

Through it all, the Heat have locked up Robinson for one particular reason and it’s to neutralize any offensive slump Miami might find themselves in, as he’s done over and over again. However, awaiting him is the largest challenge of his career and it’s once again fulfilling his role on a team built to compete for a championship.

Miami Heat: Until Duncan Robinson Breaks Out, He’s Still Impacting Winning

Despite Duncan’s shooting woes, he’s had a positive impact in other areas and that includes as a rebounder, defender, and a passer, contributing to a 7.3 Plus-Minus. The next step for Robinson has been to improve on his ball skills, such as adding different elements to his shooting — which includes pull-ups and mostly utilizing second or third dribbles after pump fakes.

By no means should any of this information serve as a reason for arbitration, but to rather add a different perspective. The very best shooters of this league struggle and even on the types of attempts where they’ve worked for hundreds of hours.

For Duncan, his approach and preparation is one of the most strenuous for skilled shooters, while that work ethic certainly doesn’t leave when you’re embedded within the Miami Heat organization.

In a vacuum, Duncan completes Miami’s offense by bending defensive schemes, floating around the perimeter, and accounting for a defensive attention like very few players in the league. For a lineup that consists of penetrators like Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry, hanging onto an elite floor spacer, with low-usage, and that can alleviate pressure from your stars is absolutely vital.

For teams such as the Heat, who heavily prioritize an inside presence, Robinson alleviates their spacing issues and renders defenses unable to execute double teams.

Think about a few of the better regular season teams from the past decade, with Kyle Korver’s involvement in Atlanta, Danny Green’s tenure in San Antonio, and of course, who can forget Ray Allen in Boston.

Duncan Robinson has a role, regardless of where his shooting numbers finish, when he’ll break out of this slump, or when he is to find a consistent groove. Simply put, the Miami Heat will need his presence with this bunch and perhaps, more than ever.