Duncan Robinson has been strong for the Pistons all season, however Detroit is now seeing his largest weaknesses uncovered in essential video games. As the Heat discovered in the direction of the finish of his Miami tenure, Robinson tends to shrink in the playoffs and may get hunted on the defensive finish. The Pistons received’t be able to afford another poor showing towards a tricky Magic workforce, in order that they want to determine this challenge instantly.
Duncan Robinson must show his worth
Robinson ended Game 1 with a strong stat line on paper: 9 factors and 4 assists whereas capturing 3-of-8 from the discipline, together with 3-of-6 from deep. He was environment friendly in his photographs, however the drawback is that he didn’t shoot extra when Cade Cunningham clearly needed more help from his teammates. By capturing extra typically, particularly when he was hitting his photographs, Robinson might have supplied simpler spacing for Cunningham.
The Pistons as an entire struggled mightily from three-point vary. Robinson and Cunningham had been the solely Pistons to hit a number of threes in the sport. In such a dire capturing state of affairs, they want their greatest shooters to maintain launching reasonably than minimizing their position in the offense.
On the different finish, Robinson was attacked relentlessly by Orlando’s ball handlers. In the finish, the Pistons went with a worse offensive option in Daniss Jenkins to shut the sport as an alternative of Robinson due to the defensive considerations. Even although Robinson has completed his half this season in the workforce scheme, he’s nonetheless weak as an isolation defender.
Miami already made these realizations
There’s a motive the Heat had been content material to let Robinson go final summer season after having him be a vital a part of the workforce for years. Despite being the franchise’s all-time chief in threes, Robinson was forged off by Miami due to his playoff points. The Heat correctly recognized that their workforce wouldn’t be capable to cover his weaknesses in a playoff setting and it wasn’t value holding him round.
The Pistons must be higher geared up to cover Robinson’s weaknesses, not less than on protection. Of course Detroit has extra defensive playmakers and a stronger workforce construction total. But they are asking much more of Robinson on offense, which might trigger totally different issues.
If the Pistons aren’t in a position to determine it out, they could find yourself in the identical place with Robinson that the Heat ultimately reached. Since 2022, Robinson discovered himself coming off the bench for the Heat and taking part in restricted minutes. Because of his clear weaknesses, the Heat might solely play him prolonged minutes in sure matchups.
Robinson performs an especially vital position for the Pistons, however they could be pressured to scale it again if he’s not viable in a playoff setting.
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