Pistons have a giant Duncan Robinson question that needs an answer in the playoffs

Duncan Robinson is arguably the Detroit Pistons’ worst defender, so there are questions of whether teams will be able to target him in the playoffs. 

Robinson has been one of the league’s sneaky-great additions this season for hte Pistons, as he has found new life playing next to Cade Cunningham and has made the offense more dynamic. 

Cunningham agrees, and offered high praise for Robinson recently, but all of the focus was on his offense, which has never really been in question. 

We know Robinson can shoot it, as he’s consistently been one of the best shooters in the NBA, and that carries over from the regular season to the playoffs, where he has averaged 40 percent from long range in 70 career playoff games. 

But we also know that things slow down in the playoffs, and the game is played more in the half court, where teams can more easily target Robinson defensively. Is he going to be a liability? 

Don’t count on it. 

Duncan Robinson knows how to hide himself and his teammates will do the rest 

The Heat were able to make multiple deep playoff runs with Robinson playing a key role, including two trips to the Finals, so his defense wasn’t a deterrent in Miami. 

And the Heat didn’t have Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland II, Isaiah Stewart and Cade Cunningham flanking Robinson. They were able to hide him within a team system the same way the Pistons have done all season. 

Robinson may be closer to a parking cone than he is to an elite defender, but he’s a smart player who has been dealing with this issue his entire career, as he’s never had great foot speed or athleticism to rely upon. 

But he’s smart, knows where to be, knows how to use his size and knows when to foul when he gets burned. He also knows how to lean on his teammates, one of whom happens to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. 

With Thompson and Cunningham covering so much real estate on the perimeter, Robinson’s only job is to funnel his guy towards the teeth of the defense, which he can do even if he’s a step behind. 

Having a weak defender is always a concern in the playoffs, as teams will hunt that guy and try to abuse him, but that’s more difficult when he’s surrounded by dawgs as Robinson is. 

It also takes the other team out of their gameplan if they are continually going after the same guy, especially if it takes them out of their normal sets. 

I’m sure teams will go after Robinson in the playoffs, but I am also sure he and the Pistons know that and will be ready to counter.