Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is not amused with Duncan Robinson's timid start in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
During a Heat time-out following a spirited Laker run in the opening minutes of the game, Robinson received some expletives from the usually calm and composed tactician.
Appears Erik Spoelstra just told Duncan Robinson to “shoot the f—ing ball.”
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) October 3, 2020
Erik Spoelstra just screamed to Duncan Robinson: "Shoot the (bleepin) ball!!" #Heat #Lakers #NBAFinals
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) October 3, 2020
Duncan Robinson missed both his first two 3-point attempts prior to Spoelstra's scolding. While missing shots are understandable, the Heat coach is certainly enraged by Robinson's hesitance to pull the trigger against the daunting Lakers' defense.
Spoelstra is hoping that Robinson will have a much better outing in Game 2 after laying an egg in his NBA Finals debut. The bright lights of the Finals got the better out of the undrafted shooter, as he went scoreless on 0-for-3 shooting from the field in 27 minutes in Game 1.
Miami certainly needs all the help they can get with two of their best scorers — Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic — both out on Friday after sustaining injuries in Game 1.
Robinson's offense was sorely missed, considering he is the best shooter on the floor. The 26-year-old swingman knocked down 44.6 percent of his triples in the regular season.
The University of Michigan product, meanwhile, has had an up-and-down showing in the postseason so far. Opposing defenses have become wary of Robinson's shooting prowess and he has not been getting his usual open looks in the playoffs.
In fact, Heat rookie Tyler Herro has given coach Spo that additional firepower expected from Robinson. It's never fun to be on the receiving end of some tongue-lashing. Hopefully, those strong words will re-ignite some fire under Robinson in Game 2.
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