Heat’s Duncan Robinson - with “big chip on my shoulder” - expands game, sees early returns

When Precious Achiuwa crowded Heat wing Duncan Robinson on the perimeter during one sequence of Monday’s game against Toronto, Robinson didn’t look to pass to a teammate.

Instead, he drove past the former Heat draft pick, maneuvered to the basket area and flipped a crafty layup over the outstretched arms of Toronto’s Pascal Siakam and his 7-3 wingspan.

For Robinson, that was the heartening payoff of an offseason in the gym.

Don’t be deceived by Robinson’s pleasant manner or endearing smile. There is a determination bubbling beneath the surface, a commitment not only to expand his game, but also to prove that he can still be the guy who hit threes with historic accuracy two years ago.

“I definitely have got a big chip on my shoulder, that’s for sure,” Robinson told The Miami Herald.

The early returns have been promising. Beyond making 6 of his first 12 three-point attempts – entering Wednesday’s late game in Portland - Robinson has made several noteworthy forays to the basket for shot attempts or passes. He has four assists and no turnovers in his 47 minutes this season.

Robinson’s 2021-22 season probably has been portrayed in a bit more negative light than it should have been, partly because of the size of the contract signed last summer (five years, $90 million) and partly because of expectations heightened by making 270 threes at a 44.6 percent rate in 2019-2020 - the best three-point percentage ever by a player (other than Steph Curry) with that many conversions.

Robinson shot 40.8 percent on threes two years ago and 37.2 percent on three-pointers last season, a figure that ranked 72nd.

In Robinson’s defense, he was a 39 percent shooter on threes after November last season. Dealing with the criticism of a slow start, after signing a big contract, and then losing his starting job to Max Strus in late March made him stronger mentally.

“You go through something like I went through last year, you definitely grow from that between the ears for sure,” he said, noting that he became “hardened” by experiencing adversity.

Several friends offered encouragement last season, including ESPN announcer and former NBA guard JJ Redick and former Houston and Heat forward Ryan Anderson.

Anderson experienced something similar -- making 204 and 131 threes in his two seasons in Houston, but then not playing much after the All Star break in his second year with the Rockets, then barely playing (22 games total) for the Heat and Phoenix the following season.

“He was one of a few people I felt I could really connect with and speak to because he went through something similar to what I felt like I experienced last year,” Robinson said. “The lessons he learned from it and passed on to me are certainly things I carry with me. We connect at least once a month.”

Robinson also leaned on “people I’ve maintained relationships with throughout this process that have always believed in me and encouraged me. There’s a handful. Guys I consider close friends. It’s not necessarily like ‘I’m going to reach out and give you shooting advice.’ It’s more being friends, being in my corner, supporting me. I’m still close with Solomon Hill, Andre Iguodola, Kelly [Olynyk].”

Having Heat shooting coach Rob Fodor back with the team also has helped; Fodor worked remotely last season, assisting primarily on Zoom sessions.

“Rob and I have a great relationship,” Robinson said. “He always has my best interests, always looks out for me. We put in a lot of work this summer. I’m always tweaking and changing little stuff here and there.”

There were two areas that he prioritized this past summer: driving to the basket and defending.

With forays off the dribble, the emphasis is “doing it more often,” he said. “And knowing that I’m capable of doing it and being a little more deliberate about getting to it.

“I did a lot of reps but the biggest thing is being intentional when you get in live segments and not settling, just being more mindful about being a little bit more diverse in how you’re attacking.”

Do defenders underestimate his ability to get by them? “The fact the scouting report is ‘get me off the [three-point] line’ helps. It’s easier to get in the paint when people have got to press up on you.”

Defensively, Pat Riley spoke in June of the need for Robinson to improve his defense, and he worked with Miami-based strength and conditioning coach Felix Flores.

“We put in a lot of work this summer,” Robinson said. “Always having a defensive component in every single workout. He poured a lot of his time and energy into me and his expertise. Hoping that pays off as well. I know it will.”