Detroit Pistons player preview: Expectations for Glenn Robinson III

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 26: Glenn Robinson III #40 of the Indiana Pacers shoots a foul shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 26, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 26: Glenn Robinson III #40 of the Indiana Pacers shoots a foul shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 26, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
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AUBURN HILLS, MI – JANUARY 3: Glenn Robinson III #40 of the Indiana Pacers grabs the rebound during a game against the Detroit Pistons on January 3, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI – JANUARY 3: Glenn Robinson III #40 of the Indiana Pacers grabs the rebound during a game against the Detroit Pistons on January 3, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

How can he seek to meet these expectations?

The good news with both his mid-range and free-throw shooting is that Robinson now has two teammates that can help him improve.

Reggie Bullock is really who Robinson should room with and attach himself to as much as possible. It’s Bullock’s game that compares the closest to Robinson’s.

Bullock has a super-high basketball IQ, as evident by the fact that he took over half his shots from 3-point land (51.5 percent of them to be exact) last season. Since that’s the best part of his game, it gives his big men more room to operate where they are most comfortable.

Robinson should also speak with Andre Drummond about continually putting in the work to improve that free-throw stroke. (On a side-note, I never understand how guys can be good shooters on the court but then struggle at the line—maybe it’s a pressure thing?)

There’s no doubt that Glenn Robinson III will be a big part of the rotation, and I fully expect him to be anywhere from the eighth to sixth man. Obviously, it is going to take a lot of improvement for him to supplant Ish Smith for that sixth-man slot but there is Reggie Jackson’s health to consider.

Plus, it also depends on the starting lineup that Dwane Casey and his staff decide to roll out. I fully expect the opening night lineup to be Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Reggie Bullock, Blake Griffin, and Andre Drummond.

That leaves a bench unit of Smith, Robinson, Stanley Johnson, Jon Leuer, and Zaza Pachulia. Even if Johnson somehow starts, then Robinson is still in that second unit with Kennard or Bullock filling the other wing role.