Duncan Robinson ready for fresh start with Heat: ‘Lots to learn from, lots to grow from’

Duncan Robinson isn’t into the narratives surrounding his situation and role with the Miami Heat. He’s just working to stay ready for his next opportunity.

Robinson was presented with an opportunity on Friday night and he made the most of it as the most experienced player available for the Heat in an unlikely 111-108 preseason win over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.

With the Heat sitting 10 players — mostly rotation regulars — on the second night of a preseason back-to-back, Robinson totaled 29 points while shooting 7 of 11 from the field, 5 of 7 on threes and 10 of 10 from the foul line in 29 minutes to lead a group that consisted mostly of developmental prospects past a quality Grizzlies team playing its best players.

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“Just seize the moment,” Robinson said of his mentality on Friday, with the Heat now idle until continuing its preseason schedule on Monday against the Houston Rockets at FTX Arena. “If I have an opportunity to go out and play, I’m going to do it to the best of my abilities.”

Robinson, 28, returns rejuvenated after some much-needed time away this summer following a rough ending to last season. He lost his starting spot to Max Strus late last regular season and completely fell out of the rotation at one point during the Heat’s playoff run.

“I think it was very important,” Robinson said when asked about the significance of the offseason that was. “Just based off of how last year went — lots to learn from, lots to grow from. So just to be very discerning over what it is I want to take with me, what I want to take from the experience and how I can actually be resourceful and use it to better myself, better the team, better myself as a player.”

As far as improving his game, Robinson worked this offseason on becoming a better defender and diversifying his offensive skill set that’s built around his elite three-point shooting ability.

Robinson’s hope is that he can again earn a consistent role, but it’s far from guaranteed. If the Heat opens the regular season with its projected starting lineup of Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin and Bam Adebayo, the coaching staff would need to choose four or five players from a group that includes Victor Oladipo, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Robinson, Dewayne Dedmon, Omer Yurtseven, Haywood Highsmith and Nikola Jovic to complete the rotation.

This uncertainty is new for Robinson after entering the previous two seasons as a fixture in the Heat’s starting lineup. He started 68 of his 73 regular-season appearances in 2019-20, all 72 of his regular-season appearances in 2020-21 and 68 games last season prior to his move to the bench.

“I mean, it feels a little bit different based off of last year and how last year went,” Robinson said of dealing with the uncertainty surrounding his role this season. “But my mindset is very much similar. Not much really has changed just in terms of my approach and the way I want to go about doing things. So just continuing to control what I can control and compete. That’s my main goal is to just kind of showcase all the sacrifice and work that I put in in the offseason and just try to put my best foot forward.”

Robinson, who’s entering the second season of a five-year contract worth $90 million, did just that in Friday’s preseason performance against the Grizzlies.

“Duncan always has been and will continue to be one of the most ignitable shooters in the league,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said following the Heat’s win in Memphis. “That’s what he showed tonight.

“He also has really improved in other aspects of his game. I think defensively he’s really worked at his containment and footwork, rebounding and his ability offensively to put the ball on the floor a little bit just enough to keep defenses honest when they try to get him off the three-point line.”

After a productive offseason, Robinson is ready for the fresh start that comes with a new season and whatever it brings.

“I always have fun when I play basketball, but there are just stretches of your career where it’s not as fun,” he said. “My emphasis on this year is not about having fun again. It’s about emphasizing the enjoyment of the game.”