Duncan Robinson had an excellent shooting season in his first year with the Pistons, but the next step is clear: he has to defend better when opponents put him in space. Last season’s playoffs showed the issue in plain view, with Paolo Banchero, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden all targeting Robinson on the perimeter.
That is the concern heading into the new season. Robinson’s offense gives Detroit value, but his defense has to hold up enough to keep him on the floor when games tighten and matchups get harder. If opposing teams believe they can hunt him in isolation, the Pistons will have to keep making adjustments around him.
Why the defensive concern matters
The issue is not simply that Robinson can be attacked. It is that he needs to be better in isolation defense so Detroit does not have to rely on help every time a strong scorer gets him alone. That was the problem last postseason, and it is why his defense remains an ongoing concern rather than a solved one.
There is still a path for Robinson to fit into what Detroit wants to do. The Pistons play a help-defense-heavy style that can cover for some of the pressure he faces on the ball, especially when Ausar Thompson is on the court. That kind of support can make Robinson more workable in the right lineup.
The Celtics opener is the first test
Detroit’s season opener against the Celtics is the immediate checkpoint. It is the kind of game that can quickly show whether Robinson is better prepared for the attention he is likely to get from strong offensive players. If he can survive those possessions without constant breakdowns, it helps his case for a bigger role in meaningful games.
For Robinson, the formula is straightforward. Keep the shooting value, limit the defensive liability and make it harder for opponents to single him out. If he can do that, the Pistons should feel better about leaning on him when the games matter most.
