The Heat are encouraging Duncan Robinson to stay confident despite his three-point shooting declining this season, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes. Robinson is shooting just 35% from deep on 8.5 attempts this season, down from 41% on 8.5 attempts last season.
“People panic every time he doesn’t have an amazing game, he doesn’t make every shot,” teammate Tyler Herro said of Robinson. “But the thing about Duncan is he comes in every day with the same attitude, whether he has 26 or if he has five points.
“He’s going to come in no matter what the next day and he’s going to treat every day the same. Get his work in and just continue to go about his business how he does. That’s what I really respect about him.”
Robinson is in the first season of a five-year, $90MM deal signed with Miami last offseason. His impact goes beyond his scoring. Since he’s shot over 40% from deep these past two seasons, teams still honor him as a serious threat behind-the-arc, opening driving lanes for other players on the Heat.
Here are some other notes from the Southeast Division:
- Chris Kirschner and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic project the Hawks‘ future, examining whether anyone should be considered untouchable. In part two of their series, Kirschner and Vecenie explored the possibility of Atlanta acquiring Ben Simmons, along with some other possible trade targets. The Hawks, who have dealt with several injuries on the season, currently rank 12th in the East at 20-25.
- The Heat may struggle to retain Caleb Martin in free agency, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel explains. Martin is currently on a two-way contract with Miami, averaging 9.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 23.1 minutes per game. He’s also shot 52% from the floor and 37% from three-point range. In order to make him eligible for the playoffs, the team will have to convert Martin from his two-way deal.
- Wizards center Daniel Gafford has seen his playing time decrease in recent games, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington writes. The return of Thomas Bryant has resulted in a minutes decline for Gafford, who signed a three-year, $40MM extension with the Wizards last October.
Hawks don’t want to give Morey the kind of package he wants in return for Ben. Atlanta’s good, now that they’re finally healthy they’re going to go on a run. If the Sixers were willing to setting for Bogi, Nilo, and redirecting a couple 1sts and Jalen to a 3rd team then I could see the Hawks stepping in, but Red Velvet and the Baptist should also be off the table with Ice Trae.
Duncan wasn’t struggling in the 4th against the Hawks the other night. Dude couldn’t miss.
Hawks are great at earning other team’s wings extra $$$. Atlanta makes players like Alec Burks, THJ, Duncan Robinson, KCP, Clarkson, Oubre, etc. look like stars (especially when Hunter isn’t in the line-up).
Robinson does need to step up though. With his contract, and the rise of Strus and continued development of Herro, Robinson’s future in Miami may end up being as trade bait in an impact trade.
Hawks got issues. They overachieved last yr as a young team. They are not sneaking up up on no one this yr. I still think they are a playoff team. But there will be a trade coming now. So who knows how the new mix will work itself out. Hawks definitely have the assets to go get a nice player. But will they. To me Okongwu is better long term than Collins. Been saying it since they drafted him. Collins is a nice piece that will get you a good young vet back.
I see how the heat have changed Caleb Martin’s shooting form. They have his elbow under the ball now and a straight-up great-looking shot. He used to have the chicken wing out and just fling it towards the basket recklessly. Looking good and he’s playing real well. Good for him.
The Heat develop players great.Also find talent better than most. Highly likely bid they are heathy they play in the ECF again.
Duncan Robinson is shooting like 42% from 3 over the last 22ish games, like 38 or 39% over 30 or sp games, and he has also been better in every other area than previous years. The Heat need his spacing, so I doubt he gets moved without them grabbing another shooter/3 and D wing. Even him missing shots, he has been extremely important spacing the floor. There are times 2 and 3 people are running him off screens and closing out to him
Everyone keeps talking about him, but he has been/will be fine.
Caleb Martin has been Andre Iguodala like for them. Talked about how important that pickup was before the season, and he has been amazing. Knew he was a Miami Heat player in summer league 3 years ago
The no. of games with 0-9 pts is already 20, that’s the problem. Season isn’t over yet and he’s had almost as many of those games as the last two years playing 72 games.
#FreeBenSimmons