One of the more interesting parts of the Miami Heat's season has been the play of star Duncan Robinson, especially towards the final part of the year where a back injury significantly limited him. To provide more context of his issue, he spoke with the media Friday afternoon during the Heat's exit interviews as he pointed out the “inflection point” of the injury came on March 18 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
“I don't want to get too much into it because just having a conversation tends to lean towards an excuse,” Robinson said. “Towards the end of the season, really that Philly game and it's something I've had to deal with prior to that as well. But then obviously, that Philly game sort of being an inflection point, the first one in Philly. There are a million different thoughts, theories about how to proceed, the best route, best way to handle it.
“I was just going to try to do whatever I could it to be available,” Robinson continued. “In hindsight, you might be able to, depending on how you how you take it or approach it, people probably paint a picture of what I should have done this out, whatever. I certainly don't have any regrets. You know, I certainly feel I would have had more regrets the other way if I did try to try to be available.”
Robinson provides perspective on his sixth season
Robinson would miss 10 games towards the home stretch of the season with a back injury specifically labeled as “left facet syndrome” and when he eventually came back into the lineup, it was evident he wasn't the same player as before. He would talk about “trying to maintain some perspective” throughout the entirety of the season as he evolved into much more than just a three-point shooter for Miami.
“So, you know, just in general, looking back on the year, trying to maintain some perspective over the entirety of the year,” Robinson said. “Obviously you compete the whole year for the postseason and and that was a better way to finish the season. For us, first and foremost, obviously, but then for me, also dealing with emotions, frustrations, challenges that I've been fortunate enough to not deal with, as far in my career. But going through those, and I learned a lot about that process.”
Robinson talks how back can heal for next season with Heat
Robinson would just play 58 minutes of the entire first round playoff series against the Boston Celtics as he would try his best to contribute to Miami's efforts, but they were ultimately futile as they lost in five games. In terms of how this impacts his future, Robinson would say that all that's needed to heal the injury is “rest” as nobody “anticipates it will linger and last.”
“It's just rest, and it's not something that I don't think anybody anticipates it will linger and last,” Robinson said. “The challenge with rest in the NBA season is you play every other night. And that was ultimately it. I think a lot of guys in that locker room are this way so I'm I'm trying to pay myself to some unique individual but like, I didn't want to rest essentially, I wanted to try to give in to whatever I could to the team and some days it was more limited than others and that's just the nature of what I was going through. So like I said, it's a learning experience a lot of ways.”
The 30-year old Heat sharpshooter averaged 12.9 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent from the field. He looks to be part of the puzzle that helps Miami improve after a 46-36 regular season and get back to their championship aspirations.
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