“Duncan (Robinson) is so talented offensively and knows how to blend in with the team. He knows how to be complementary to each device, and he also knows how to be a central point of the action. It forces the opponent to overreact. He has an incredible cohesion with Jimmy Butler, which is largely due to the one he was able to create with Bam Adebayo. He has also become a very good screen installer.”
Eric Spoelstra had benefited from a big match of Duncan Robinson against the Raptors last month (21 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists) to highlight the contribution of his player in the Heat's good performance in this first part of the exercise.
While we might have thought that he had reached his full potential in his role as a sniper, the Miami shooter rediscovered himself this season, in a more complete profile, sharper towards the circle and more comfortable with the ball in hand.
A more complete basketball player on offense
With the departures of Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, he is once again in greater demand by Erik Spoelstra, who has practically doubled his playing time compared to last season.
Beyond his career-best stats, Duncan Robinson has evolved into a more versatile role. For him, this change is above all due to his mental approach and his confidence, developed over the years.
“I haven't really changed my preparation, from a physical point of view. The biggest change has been in objectives and approach”, did he declare. “As you know, success at this level is largely in the mind. This year, first of all, I have a lot of freedom and I can be myself on the pitch. But I also tried to assert myself, to have confidence in myself. I think it makes a big difference for me.”
In terms of play, we also feel less confined to his role as an external threat, even if it remains his primary weapon. More creative, he no longer hesitates to venture into painting to make choices, for himself or for others. He has almost already reached his record for assists in a season (129 in 2021/22) with 110 offerings in 35 matches. Again, it was a mental adjustment that freed him.
“I always thought that my way of feeling the game was one of my strong points. This year I've been a little less obsessed with the question of how I should get 3-point positions. I feel like I've been able to be a little more of a complete basketball player and do some different things, which has been fun.”.
| Duncan Robinson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | MIA | 15 | 11 | 39.1 | 28.6 | 66.7 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 3.3 |
| 2019-20 | MIA | 73 | 30 | 47.0 | 44.6 | 93.1 | 0.1 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 13.5 |
| 2020-21 | MIA | 72 | 31 | 43.9 | 40.8 | 82.7 | 0.1 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 13.1 |
| 2021-22 | MIA | 79 | 26 | 39.9 | 37.2 | 83.6 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 10.9 |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 42 | 17 | 37.1 | 32.8 | 90.6 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 6.4 |
| 2023-24 | MIA | 35 | 29 | 45.5 | 41.4 | 86.0 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 13.9 |
| Total | 316 | 26 | 43.2 | 40.0 | 86.5 | 0.2 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 11.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
