For most of his career, Duncan Robinson has been known for one thing, which his 3-point shooting, but he didn’t do much else.
Robinson was almost strictly a catch-and-shoot guy who rarely put it on the floor in his first five seasons in Miami, where he never averaged more than 1.8 assists per game. He didn’t attack closeouts often and was really a one-trick pony on offense.
But Robinson’s numbers and minutes started to dip, as his trick became less effective, which forced him to add more nuance to his game.
Robinson worked on attacking close outs, finishing at the rim and setting up teammates more often. Shooters of his talent create a lot of movement and gravity, which he has better taken advantage of as he’s gotten older.
That has led to an uptick in assists (up to 2.8 per game) and a more versatile offensive game that is tougher to defend.
Robinson didn’t radically change anything, but added nuance that probably extended his NBA life, at least a starter getting big minutes.
Isaiah Joe has had a similar start to his career, and like Robinson, he doesn’t need to remake the wheel, but he can add more nuance to his offensive game as Robinson has.
Isaiah Joe can be more than just a shooter
Let’s be clear here, the Pistons brought in Isaiah Joe primarily to shoot 3-point shots, as that is what he does best.
I am not suggesting that Joe suddenly become SGA, but like Robinson, he can start adding more elements to his game as a connector and attacker.
Joe has never averaged more than 1.6 assists per game in the first six seasons of his career, as he rarely did anything for OKC other than shoot 3’s. Six of Joe’s 7.6 field goal attempts per game were from behind the 3-point line and that is not likely to change.
But Joe can get better at attacking and connecting when the 3-point shot isn’t there as Robinson has. Robinson attacked close outs more often last season and was surprisingly effective from the floater spot and mid-range, where he shot 55 and 62 percent, respectively.
Robinson didn’t take a ton of those shots, and neither should Joe, but it’s a shot that is ultimately used to set up 3-point space down the line by not allowing defenders to close out recklessly and with impunity.
Robinson still mostly takes 3-point shots, but he at least makes defenders think twice about him putting it on the floor, even if he doesn’t ultimately take the shot.
Joe is an elite 3-point shooter, and adding a little more versatility to his offensive game will help open up that shot even more.
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