Duncan Robinson is having the type of postseason performance that was all too rare during his time with the Miami Heat, and it's played a big part in the Detroit Pistons' success all season long.
The ability of the Pistons to get Robinson to play this effective a role for the team, and the Heat's inability to do so over the last couple of seasons (especially in the playoffs), makes it even more understandable that the team decided to move on from the sharpshooting wing.
Still, that doesn't make it any more digestable for Heat fans.
Through the first eight playoff games for the Pistons this season, Robinson is averaging 11 points on 40 percent shooting from 3-point range. During his six separate playoff runs with the Heat, Robinson was only able to put up similar numbers once (back in 2020).
The Heat couldn't find the right balance with Duncan Robinson
And, in the end, this is perhaps the biggest reason why the Heat elected to move on from Robinson during the offseason. The fact that the Heat could not find the proper way to utilize Robinson anymore, especially in the postseason.
But while it's easy to criticize the Heat for that, you have to credit Detroit.
The Pistons had a roster that needed a player like Robinson to step in and thrive. That he has. Robinson has been a revelation for a Pistons team that desperately needed an outside threat. He's proven that much after two huge games against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Detroit is not up 2-0 in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Cavs without Robinson, who has averaged 18 points on 59 percent shooting from 3-point range in those first two games.
At least for now, he's played the perfect role in Detroit.
The Heat didn't have a roster that made sense for Duncan Robinson
Heat fans can't help but wonder "what if." But it's not "what if" the Heat had kept him. It's "what if" the Heat had a roster that could've utilized Robinson better.
For better or worse, Miami's roster has been in transition since Jimmy Butler's departure. And that's the biggest reason why Robinson just didn't make sense for the Heat anymore. Without a true No. 1 star and ball-handler, it was going to be difficult to find the right role for Robinson in Miami.
In Detroit, that's not an issue with Cade Cunningham leading the way.
After it was clear that the Heat were going to go through many growing pains this season, it was best for Miami and Robinson to move on. That they did, and Robinson is now thriving in his new landing spot. A place where he's found the perfect role for himself once again.
At least for now, it does seem as if the Pistons have found a way to unlock Robinson as the secret weapon that the team had been missing. Something that the Heat simply struggled to do over the last couple of seasons, which ultimately led to their decision to part ways with the wing.
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