After knocking down another six 3-pointers last night, Duncan Robinson is off to a career start for the Detroit Pistons and is already on pace to crush the team’s record for 3-point makes in a season currently held by Malik Beasley.
Robinson is averaging career bests in points per game (17.9), 3-point attempts per game (8.9), 3-point percentage (45.2) and free-throw attempts at 3.7 per game.
Although some of these numbers will come back down to earth as the season progresses, there is nothing Robinson is doing right now that doesn’t look sustainable. With Jalen Duren out, Robinson has stepped up as the second option for the Pistons and has been a big reason they are off to a 6-1 start despite several early injuries.
But we knew Robinson could shoot, that has never been in question, but what has been is his defense, which has been noticeably better this season, especially in one area.
Duncan Robinson is leading the Detroit Pistons in steals
You may not have guessed this if asked, but currently, Duncan Robinson is leading the Pistons in steals. Detroit currently has the number one defense in the league, and Robinson is averaging two steals per game.
Keep in mind, this is a guy whose defense is constantly maligned, a guy who has never even averaged one steal per game in any season of his career.
Robinson’s best season when it comes to steals was a measly .7 per game, so his start looks like a statistical anomaly but there is actually something behind it.
I’ve said many times that Robinson may not be a good on-ball defender (he’s not), but he’s a smart team defender and good at positioning himself, something that has been noticeable this season when teams try to target him.
Robinson has been excellent at anticipating entry passes to the guy he’s defending, jumping the passing lanes and getting his hands on the ball anytime that pass is lazy.
Robinson obviously spent some time in the film room last summer, as he seems to know when and how defenses are going to attack him and is simply beating them to the ball.
Robinson is not a good on-ball defender one-on-one, so the best way to prevent teams from targeting him is to not let his man get the ball in the first place, something Robinson and the Pistons have been very good at this season.
He’s also had help from Ausar Thompson, who often immediately traps Robinson’s man, which has also helped Duncan run up his steal total.
I’m sure Robinson will not end up leading the Pistons in steals, but his defense has been better, and when you add that to his torrid shooting, it equals the best start of Robinson’s career on both ends.
Add us as a preferred source on Google