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Glenn Robinson III’s long detour leads to an uncertain future

By Ben Gibson

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 4: Glenn Robinson III #40 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards on March 4, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 4: Glenn Robinson III #40 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards on March 4, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Glenn Robinson III missed most of the season after his ankle surgery, but after returning it’s hard to know his future with the Indiana Pacers.

It was supposed to be a breakout season for Glenn Robinson III. After seeing glimpses of the starting shooting guard job last season, Robinson just had to beat out Bojan Bogdanovic, a newcomer to the Indiana Pacers, to reclaim the position as his own.

Then he awkwardly landed on his left ankle — which eventually led to surgery — and missed the Pacers’ first 58 games, nearly two-thirds of the season. All that hard work he put in during the summer, just like the one before that, all but erased.

“I wouldn’t say it was frustrating. Disappointing is a better word,” Joey Burton said. He would know as he trains Robinson when the former Michigan player isn’t with the Pacers. “He had put in hours of hard work, working on his shooting, reading pick and rolls better, and then he has to get surgery and work his way back.”

With the season Bogdanovic is having, Robinson still might be coming off the bench if he didn’t hurt his ankle. But instead of the opportunity to prove himself, he was in street clothes watching Bojan and the rest of the Pacers.

Burton worked with Robinson during the recovery period, brushing up on conditioning, shooting, and the fundamentals of the game. Burton said Robinson felt ready to play before the All-Star break, but the Pacers took a more cautious approach.

Before he rejoined the Indiana Pacers, however, he had to show he was back in game-shape with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. While his 30.8% shooting from the field in two games with the Mad Ants was evidence of missing four months, Burton says he saw the first sign Robinson was ready in his first game with the Mad Ants.

In fact, he came on his first basket.

Glenn Robinson III's First Basket of 2017-18 Season

Welcome back, GRIII!Indiana Pacers wing Glenn Robinson III scores his first bucket for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in his return from preseason ankle surgery. #NBAGLeague

Posted by NBA G League on Thursday, February 1, 2018

Robinson grabbed a rebound before sprinting down the court for a transition layup. He planted on his surgically repaired left ankle and was fouled, but Robinson completed the and-one play.

Not all that hard work from the summer was lost, either. Later in the game, Robinson absorbed contact on his way to the rim and made his shot, just as he had in sessions with Burton.

Both of those plays were what Burton, Robinson, and the Indiana Pacers wanted to see. While Robinson showed rust at times, he also showed that his ankle wasn’t going to slow him down, nor was he playing to protect it.

Glenn Robinson III’s return to the Indiana Pacers

Robinson saw his first action in Indiana’s first game coming out of the All-Star break. His stat line against the Atlanta Hawks showed 4 points and 2 rebounds, but no one expected him to pick up right where he left off.

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He scored 10 points in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks in his second game back, but it’s clear Robinson is still getting up to speed. His stats aren’t great: In 14.2 minutes a game he averages 3.1 points on 37% shooting and a very unpretty 16.7% mark from beyond the arc. Like last season his biggest impact comes defensively, but he’s sharing the court with a bench unit that is just trying to keep up with their opponent’s scoring more than stopping them from doing it in the first place.

It isn’t easy to answer the question of what’s next for Robinson. He has what’s left of this season to work toward showing that he is still a 3-and-D threat like he was last season. But with only 17 games left and coming off his injury. that’s no easy task.

And what he shows in those games and in a playoff run likely determines his future with the Pacers. This is the last year of his current contract and this injury changed the trajectory of his development. Do the Pacers believe he can return to his old self? What are they willing to pay for the potential that he showed a season ago?

One thing is for nearly certain, however. Robinson will get back in the gym this summer to work with Burton. Burton says they’ve already made plans. Robinson’s shooting will once again be a focus and he will put in the work needed for improving his game, just like he did the last two summers.

Next: Do the numbers add up to success for the Indiana Pacers?

Call it overly dedicated, but that’s just what Glenn Robinson III does. The only question is whether it will be with the Indiana Pacers or another team in the NBA.

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