Do me a favor. Construct the ideal shooting guard/small forward in your head.
You're probably picturing someone that is between 6'6 and 6'9 in height, weighs a little more than 210, has a solid wingspan, is an athletic freak that finished well above the rim and has defensive potential oozing out of his pores.
Glen Robinson III fits that bill. He's 6'6 with a 6'9 wingspan. He's a damn fine finisher at the rim. He's an aerial acrobat with solid lateral quickness and gobs of defensive potential.
So why isn't he a first round talent?
The answer is multifaceted.
You're probably picturing someone that is between 6'6 and 6'9 in height, weighs a little more than 210, has a solid wingspan, is an athletic freak that finished well above the rim and has defensive potential oozing out of his pores.
Glen Robinson III fits that bill. He's 6'6 with a 6'9 wingspan. He's a damn fine finisher at the rim. He's an aerial acrobat with solid lateral quickness and gobs of defensive potential.
So why isn't he a first round talent?
The answer is multifaceted.
Despite his physical tools, Robinson hasn't been able to put it all together. He spent two semi-productive years at the University of Michigan but was never able to become the primary scoring option. He was dwarfed by Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr. and most recently, Nik Stauskas.
When Burke and Hardaway departed for the NBA, and yesterday's second round profile Mitch McGary got hurt, Robinson and Stauskas were asked to carry a heavier load. Stauskas responded with an incredible season that saw him become the primary scoring option and launch himself solidly into the lottery.
Robinson improved marginally in some categories and regressed in others. During the Wolverines Elite Eight match-up against an immensely talented Kentucky team, Stauskas once again reaped the benefits of national attention. He dropped 24 points on 6-14 shooting and looked impressive driving to the hole (a skill he cultivated in his off-season).
Robinson faded at times in that game. He and Stauskas took an identical number of shots but Robinson failed to register a single free throw attempt. He also went 6-14 but managed to register 14 points for his efforts. He rebounded decently, snagging four boards in that game. But he was outshone by his teammate in a tightly contested game.
Which is the story of Robinson's collegiate career in many ways. He has the potential and talent to become something greater than what he has shown but for some reason he has been unable to maximize his potential.
During his sophomore campaign at Michigan, Robinson notched 13.1 ppg (.488 fg%), 4.4 rebs, 1.2 asts, and a meager .306 3-point % (stats per sports-reference.com).
Those are solid numbers. They're not great, they're not flashy, but they are solid.
When Burke and Hardaway departed for the NBA, and yesterday's second round profile Mitch McGary got hurt, Robinson and Stauskas were asked to carry a heavier load. Stauskas responded with an incredible season that saw him become the primary scoring option and launch himself solidly into the lottery.
Robinson improved marginally in some categories and regressed in others. During the Wolverines Elite Eight match-up against an immensely talented Kentucky team, Stauskas once again reaped the benefits of national attention. He dropped 24 points on 6-14 shooting and looked impressive driving to the hole (a skill he cultivated in his off-season).
Robinson faded at times in that game. He and Stauskas took an identical number of shots but Robinson failed to register a single free throw attempt. He also went 6-14 but managed to register 14 points for his efforts. He rebounded decently, snagging four boards in that game. But he was outshone by his teammate in a tightly contested game.
Which is the story of Robinson's collegiate career in many ways. He has the potential and talent to become something greater than what he has shown but for some reason he has been unable to maximize his potential.
During his sophomore campaign at Michigan, Robinson notched 13.1 ppg (.488 fg%), 4.4 rebs, 1.2 asts, and a meager .306 3-point % (stats per sports-reference.com).
Those are solid numbers. They're not great, they're not flashy, but they are solid.
But Robinson didn't take a ton of jumpers (or 3s) in college. At the next level, he won't be able to rely on off-ball cuts and follow-ups to get him all his points. He'll need to beat guys off the dribble, something he seems capable of but has failed to do consistently.
As it currently stands, Robinson has potential on defense but that potential has not been actualized. He's getting beat to the rim by stronger opponents, something that's disheartening in many ways. Robinson is athletically gifted and he slides his feet well but his inability to stop slashers from getting into the paint is either due to lack of coaching or lack of mental acuity. Hopefully it's the former and not the latter.
On that same note, Robinson needs to use his athleticism in smarter ways. He too often gets bullied beneath the rim, both on rebounds and on low-block defense. With his athleticism, he should win most glass bouncers with ease. Instead, he's getting forced into uncomfortable angles that don't afford him much opportunity at rebounds.
Improving how he uses his athleticism will also positively impact how he finishes at the rim (something he currently does well but could always do better).
Right now, many of the question marks around Robinson circle around his passivity. To a certain degree, he shares similar qualities with draftmate Andrew Wiggins. Both are physical specimens (Wiggins more so, obviously) with questions about their ability to take over games when needed. Some of the Wiggins vitriol has been misguided. He knew his role and played it, scoring in bunches against high quality teams like Duke and the University of Florida. He also disappeared in the NCAA tournament and didn't do much to help his own case.
Robinson played an off-again, on-again relationship with the past two seasons, rather than stretches of games. At times he can appear engaged and motivated, capable of brilliant flashes. Other times he looks far too passive.
His development at the next level will rely on a few things (like it does for most prospects): the right system and the right coach.
Robinson needs a coach that has the patience to tutor his physical gifts into a usable asset. Of all the prospects we've visited so far, I think Robinson has the best chance at someday earning a starting spot.
But to be better than Alonzo Gee (for example) Robinson will need to develop his jumper and improve his current defense. He'll also need to find time to play. With a crowded back court (pending the addition of the number one overall pick) the Cavs may not be in a position to take a flier on him.
I've seen folks saying Robinson's ceiling could be Jeff Green. If that's the case, you absolutely take a chance on him in the second round, even if you're the Cavaliers. I'm not sure that is his ceiling though. Maybe it is, but he'll need to drastically improve his defense and 3-point shooting (something he's extremely capable of doing).
Verdict: I wouldn't be upset if we took him but I doubt he develops the way we want him to.
As it currently stands, Robinson has potential on defense but that potential has not been actualized. He's getting beat to the rim by stronger opponents, something that's disheartening in many ways. Robinson is athletically gifted and he slides his feet well but his inability to stop slashers from getting into the paint is either due to lack of coaching or lack of mental acuity. Hopefully it's the former and not the latter.
On that same note, Robinson needs to use his athleticism in smarter ways. He too often gets bullied beneath the rim, both on rebounds and on low-block defense. With his athleticism, he should win most glass bouncers with ease. Instead, he's getting forced into uncomfortable angles that don't afford him much opportunity at rebounds.
Improving how he uses his athleticism will also positively impact how he finishes at the rim (something he currently does well but could always do better).
Right now, many of the question marks around Robinson circle around his passivity. To a certain degree, he shares similar qualities with draftmate Andrew Wiggins. Both are physical specimens (Wiggins more so, obviously) with questions about their ability to take over games when needed. Some of the Wiggins vitriol has been misguided. He knew his role and played it, scoring in bunches against high quality teams like Duke and the University of Florida. He also disappeared in the NCAA tournament and didn't do much to help his own case.
Robinson played an off-again, on-again relationship with the past two seasons, rather than stretches of games. At times he can appear engaged and motivated, capable of brilliant flashes. Other times he looks far too passive.
His development at the next level will rely on a few things (like it does for most prospects): the right system and the right coach.
Robinson needs a coach that has the patience to tutor his physical gifts into a usable asset. Of all the prospects we've visited so far, I think Robinson has the best chance at someday earning a starting spot.
But to be better than Alonzo Gee (for example) Robinson will need to develop his jumper and improve his current defense. He'll also need to find time to play. With a crowded back court (pending the addition of the number one overall pick) the Cavs may not be in a position to take a flier on him.
I've seen folks saying Robinson's ceiling could be Jeff Green. If that's the case, you absolutely take a chance on him in the second round, even if you're the Cavaliers. I'm not sure that is his ceiling though. Maybe it is, but he'll need to drastically improve his defense and 3-point shooting (something he's extremely capable of doing).
Verdict: I wouldn't be upset if we took him but I doubt he develops the way we want him to.