The Detroit Pistons made waves this offseason by signing Duncan Robinson, the sharpshooter known for his time with the Miami Heat. Now, as the season heats up, the Pistons are eager to see if their investment will pay dividends or become another forgettable move.
Robinson's shooting is crucial for the Pistons' playoff hopes
Robinson's prowess lies in his ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting. He’s a threat not just with his catch-and-shoot skills but also with his movement off the ball. This season, he's been a consistent scorer, averaging 12.0 points while shooting an impressive 44.7% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range.
His shooting has been a boon for Detroit, and his knack for using back-door screens adds another layer to his offensive arsenal. However, the playoffs are a different animal, and Robinson’s experience from his Miami days could be pivotal. In his 70 playoff games, he's hit 40% of his threes, though he has faced challenges, sometimes being sidelined due to defensive liabilities.
For Detroit to make a deep playoff push, Robinson needs to lean into the skills that secured him his contract with the Pistons. His shooting must outweigh the defensive issues that occasionally saw him benched in Miami.
Balancing Robinson's shooting with defensive challenges
At 31, Robinson remains one of the league’s elite shooters, but his defensive reputation leaves much to be desired. Opponents often target him on defense, a strategy that previously led Miami’s coach Erik Spoelstra to reduce his minutes against teams like the Celtics, who exploited mismatches.
The Pistons will need to anticipate similar tactics from their opponents. If Robinson can consistently punish teams offensively, it will ease the burden on Coach J.B.
Bickerstaff, a candidate for Coach of the Year. Bickerstaff’s task will include finding matchups that favor Robinson and devising strategies to mitigate his defensive weaknesses.
Ultimately, Robinson’s ability to shine in his role could be a game-changer for Detroit’s playoff ambitions.