The recent success of the Miami Heat cannot go unnoticed. They are coming off a statement upset win over the top seed Cleveland Cavaliers, and are in the midst of seven wins over their last 10 games. They are also a perfect 5-0 in their new blood red city edition jerseys, along with 6-1 in their last seven home games and 7-2 with their new starting lineup.
That revamped first unit of Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Haywood Highsmith and Bam Adebayo has the highest net rating of any lineup in the NBA with a minimum of 100+ minutes played.
A big part of this group comes from the play of Miami’s all-time leading 3-point maker in Robinson. He is coming off a 23-point outing in the Cavs win on 7 of 11 shooting (64%) and 4 of 5 from deep. His insertion alongside the Heat’s core has paid dividends, and is proving to be an x-factor in a lineup that values his floor spreading abilities.
Robinson has made strides in his all-around development over the years. And although he has had his share of rough shooting nights this season, the impact he provides when he is on is too good to pass up with his increased role.
An unbelievable statistic proves that the Heat are a MUCH better team when Robinson plays well.
Miami’s offense is always at its peak when the sharpshooter is able to create offense. In fact, it could be argued that outside of Butler, Herro and Adebayo, he is the most important player on the roster.
That record is no fluke when it comes to Robinson’s impact. His shot creation spreads the floor wide open for not just himself, but his teammates. Defenders cannot afford to sag off of him, and it forces players to stick out on the perimeter while the Heat’s big three does their work down low.
His evolution has been an underrated part of Miami’s rotation for a while now. This is not just a spot up shooter anymore. Robinson is able to put his head down and get to the basket, and he has developed into an efficient finisher around the rim. He has also become a much more respectable defender.
He does a terrific job at moving without the basketball with his hard slashes and cuts. For whatever reason it may be, Robinson has always thrived much more as a starter than coming off the bench. It only plays to the Heat’s benefit and chemistry, as him, Adebayo, Butler and Herro are the four longest tenured players on the team.
The Robinson and Herro duo has looked like the best shooting backcourt in the NBA as of late— in what could be the 305’s own version of the ‘splash bros’ 2.0.
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44-11 insane. so teams just have to guard Dunc and keep him under 20 lol