Although the Miami Heat are one of the top teams in the NBA, they have started to lose some winnable games. There were several circumstances that helped contribute to these losses, such as the exit of Jimmy Butler from the game against the Lakers due to an ankle injury.
However, one of the biggest concerns Heat fans have right now is the shooting slump of Duncan Robinson. Robinson is an elite sharpshooter.
At his best, he is arguably a top-three shooter in the entire NBA. He is a career 42 percent shooter from beyond the arc.
That’s very impressive, considering he typically takes over eight attempts per game. That is why this shooting slump is so strange.
This season, he has shot below 33 percent from three. Several of those misses are wide open looks.
This brings up the question of what the Miami Heat should do about their sharpshooter, who they recently signed to a $90 million contract extension. Should they do anything about it?
Should they start to consider moving Robinson to the bench or even… hear trade offers? The short answer is no and to that notion, here is why Robinson is still so valuable to the Heat and why patience might be essential.
Miami Heat: How Long Is Too Long To Wait For Duncan Robinson’s Shot?
First of all, Duncan Robinson is not the only shooter who is struggling right now. Another player that has been off is Damian Lillard.
Robinson Isn’t The Only One Struggling
Dame is usually an excellent high volume shooter, but this year, he is down to 25 percent on three point attempts. Luka Doncic has also been off, dropping to 29 percent on threes this year.
Even the best shooter of all, Stephen Curry, hasn’t been at his best. Although still impressive, Curry is shooting 38.5 percent from that area.
That is terrible for a shooter as great as Steph. If he keeps his percentage, it would be the worst percentage of his career by a big margin and the only season he has shot under 40 percent, aside from the 2019-20 season that only saw him play in five games.
It isn’t just the stars that are struggling. Entire teams have been shooting poorly.
Some teams are currently on pace to have historically low percentages and that’s thinking since the 1980s, when there was considerably less focus on the three point shot.
So, what is going on? Maybe it is the new Wilson ball.
Who knows? What matters is that everyone else is struggling.
That, at least, takes some pressure off the Miami Heat to be a great shooting team, for now. Each team will eventually find their rhythm, but by the time that happens, so will Duncan Robinson and the Heat.
One thing about shooters is that they never forget how to shoot. Slumps come and go.
Robinson just appears to be in his head right now. He will eventually find his stroke again.
Miami Heat: Duncan Robinson Is An Elite Shooter, So Patience Has Been Earned
Second, even if he is not hitting shots, he is still a threat for opposing defenses. The sheer possibility of Robinson hitting a three has defenses looking for him at all times.
He’s Still A Priority For The Defense
If defenses are still focused on him, it means the defense can’t put as much pressure on everyone else. As an effect, his three point threat still spaces the floor for his teammates, which has created opportunities for everyone else.
Now that the Heat have a skilled playmaker in Kyle Lowry, these opportunities usually translate into buckets. Even if Robinson’s shot is off, there are still certain situations in which this point can be used to Miami’s advantage.
In late game situations, Miami could use Robinson as a decoy to set up a shot for someone else. That would, most likely, be for Jimmy Butler if a two is needed and Tyler Herro if a three is needed.
Since defenses can’t afford leaving Robinson open, this should work. So, when do the Miami Heat truly need Duncan Robinson’s shooting?
If he is still struggling like this in the playoffs, then the Heat might have some issues advancing to the next round. But that is what the 82 game season is for.
Robinson has plenty of time to get his shot back. Miami’s sharpshooter will eventually return and when he does, it means trouble for the rest of the NBA.
There is no need to worry, yet.