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Small Forward Wednesdays: What will Glenn Robinson III’s role be?

By Tony East

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 08: Glenn Robinson III #40 of the Indiana Pacers is seen during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 08: Glenn Robinson III #40 of the Indiana Pacers is seen during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Glenn Robinson III has been out for the entire season. It is anticipated that his return will be within the next month, possibly sooner. What kind of role will GR3 play on this Pacers team?

The amount of sheer devastation that came from Glenn Robinson III getting injured this summer had Indiana Pacer‘s fans stomachs in knots. Robinson, last seasons dunk contest champion and one of the most beloved players on the roster, was expected to play a significant role on the team this year. His injury was particularly devastating because he is so talented at just age 23, meaning he represents part of the Pacers present and future. His injury, however, seemingly crippled both.

But here we are, nearly halfway through the season and the team is treading water without him. They have made do with wing play from Bojan Bogdanovic, Lance Stephenson, and occasionally Damien Wilkins. They have all been able to play above expectation to this point and keep the team afloat. But GR3 represents a potential player archetype that none of these players are, and one that the Pacers desperately need.

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A three-and-D wing.

Poor defense on the wing has been one of the Pacers biggest challenges this season. All three of the previously mentioned guys have a defensive box plus-minus in the negatives (Stephenson -.3, Wilkins -2.3, Bogdanovic -2.4 per basketball-reference). Stopping guys on the catch out on the wing continues to be a challenge for Indiana, and it often leads to easy buckets at the rim for the opposing team.

An example of what I am talking about can be seen here. Demarre Carroll receives a pass on the right wing while being guarded by Bogdanovic. With no screen or action, Carroll blows right past him and gets to the rim for an easy layup:

That is where GR3 comes in handy. Robinson III, while the numbers don’t show it perfectly, is an excellent perimeter defender and has been improving at this his entire career. His defensive statistics are hurt mightly because of his time spent playing alongside Monta Ellis, but Robinsons -.2 DPBM from last season would be the best of any wing on the roster this season.

Check out this Robinson clip from last season. In the same mold as the previously shown Bogdanovic clip, the ball swings around and Robinson is forced to defend at the point of attack. Unlike Bogdanovic, he does a special job staying right with his man and getting a block at the rim, something that very few Pacer wings can do, or have done, this season:

The defense Robinson provides will consume a large portion of his role. Defensive versatility at both the three and four are needed for Nate McMillan, and Robinson can guard both positions, especially on the perimeter.

I say that defense will consume a large portion of his role because on offense, while Glenn Robinson III is efficient, he is more of a play finisher than a play initiator. He showed a few flashes of being a playmaker thanks to his athleticism last season, but a severe ankle injury will surely hinder his athleticism the rest of this campaign. Because of this, I’d imagine Robinson will be used more as a spot-up shooter and cutter when he is on the floor.

Thankfully, Robinson is great at both of those things. He ranked in the 60.7 percentile on cuts last season, scoring 1.3 points per possession in these scenarios. He still has his childlike burst when cutting to the basket or flying by his opponents across the lane, so there is a reason to believe Robinson III will be good in this facet when he returns.

In spot-up scenarios he was even better, finishing the season in the 69.7 percentile thanks to his effective field goal percentage of these shots being 55.6.

If he can continue to be above average at both of these things, he will fit right in on the offensive end of the court. He could park himself in the corner and do this all game long, as to save some of his energy for the defensive end:

Or he could be an effective cutter and floor spacer that still provides positive value on the defensive end. Either way, Robinson will be useful.

The biggest thing that Glenn Robinson III will provide is depth. When everyone is healthy, McMillan has at times gone with a short-ish eight-man rotation. While effective, this is surely wearing down some of the guys that play heavy minutes. Robinson will soften that workload and be an effective player, the perfect jolt for the Pacers mid-season.

Next: Power Rankings Roundup: Indiana Pacers sliding back to mediocrity

At his worst, Robinson’s defensive impact will still be a benefit to the team. At his best, he could supplant Bogdanovic in the starting lineup. Either way, get well soon Glenn, the fans are excited about your return.

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