DETROIT — After seven seasons with the Miami Heat, Duncan Robinson made his first venture away from the organization as part of a sign-and-trade to join the Detroit Pistons on a three-year contract.
An elite sharpshooter, Robinson accomplished a lot in Miami, becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers (1,202) and reaching the Eastern Conference finals three times, with two trips to the NBA Finals.
Those memories are special and Robinson is looking forward to his first trek back to Miami Saturday night as he brings his East-leading Pistons team (15-4) to Kaseya Center.
“I’m excited. It should be a fun experience, definitely be weird,” Robinson told reporters Friday morning. “I have so much rhythm and flow of being on the other side in that building. To be on the other side will be interesting, but I’m excited to go in there with this group and embrace being in there, try to get a win.”
A Michigan standout in college, Robinson went undrafted in 2018, signing a Summer League deal with the Heat and turning that into an impressive career in Miami.
While some seasons he was a primary starter and others he took on a crucial role off the bench, Robinson was always a factor for the Heat.
Robinson’s name is still held in high esteem by the organization as he starts a new chapter of his NBA career — even if the idea of him suiting up in the opposing team’s uniform is still bizarre.
“It’ll be strange,” longtime Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I catch a lot of their games, and I watch their highlights a lot. I still root for Duncan. He’s one of the greatest success stories from our building. I wrote him a note after the deal, and I’ve told him his before, but I think his story is so inspirational that, eventually, it can be a book or a movie.
“I do root for him, but it looks strange, him in that uniform, it really does.”
Robinson played under Spoelstra his entire career before heading to Detroit to compete under coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
He sees parallels in how Detroit has begun to establish its culture the same way the Heat have in becoming one of the most consistent contenders in the Eastern Conference behind Spoelstra and team president Pat Riley.
“It’s one thing in the building and another thing outside the building. It’s sort of taken a life of its own outside the building,” Robinson said of the Heat’s culture. “In the building, it’s really simple, just about trying to maximize every day. Just put your best foot forward, take advantage of every opportunity.
“Something very similar exists here. It’s not like it’s some secret sauce like it’s totally different than what everyone else is doing. Pat, obviously, is a legend but I was a beneficiary of just the civility of that organization. I learned a lot.”
That success has already continued with a reconfigured roster in Miami that stands 13-6 after dealing Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors last season and building around Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
Robinson isn’t surprised the team is getting right back in the thick of playoff contention.
“A lot of credit to that staff. I know that staff well, obviously,” Robinson said. “They’re always trying to overturn stones and find solutions. That’s what they pride themselves on. They got it rolling,”
In his first year with the Pistons, Robinson has already become a key part of what the team is accomplishing. Detroit ripped off a franchise record-tying 13 straight wins with Robinson being the only player to start every game.
Due to injuries, the starting lineup has been in flux. But Robinson has been the consistent presence with 19 starts in 19 games this season.
Averaging 12.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, two assists and a career-best 1.0 steal per game, Robinson has acclimated well to being a Piston. He thinks there’s still more areas for improvement with his teammates.
“There’s definitely an adjustment,” Robinson said. “Thankfully this group has been great, just sort of bearing with me, encouraging me to be the best version of myself, most aggressive version of myself on offense and defense. The system’s a little different, but I just try to be as good as I can for the system, just be solid in that sense.”
He’ll now have the chance to share how much he’s grown in just a number of months away from his longtime team on the court where he cut his teeth in the NBA.