Max Strus Praises Duncan Robinson 'Same Level as Curry' - NBA Spacing Analysis

Max Strus, former Miami Heat teammate, recently shared on YouTube's Link With JB that Duncan Robinson, his longtime teammate, has shooting skills on par with Steph Curry's. This praise goes beyond a casual comment and reveals much about how NBA teams build modern offensive styles. In basketball where spacing and off-ball movement are key to creating advantages, Robinson stands out as a specialist. He contributed significantly to Heat's 2026-20 Finals run, where creating space for teammates became a tactical necessity. While Strus emphasizes Robinson's 'truly extraordinary' shooting and parity with Curry, a closer look shows this is subjective praise based on practice, not specific game stats like 3-point percentage or defensive pressure. Context: In the recently released video, Strus details their relationship. They played together for three seasons, and Strus credits Robinson with motivating him to become a better shooter. Robinson is described as an off-ball mover, catch-and-shoot specialist who constantly creates opportunities for stars like LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. This fits Heat's drive-and-kick or dribble-handoff strategy during the Finals. However, the 'same level as Curry' claim may be rhetorical, as Curry is an on-ball creator while Robinson excels in catch-and-shoot. Other teams rebuilding post-2026-20 could learn from Heat's internal development model, turning undrafted talent into rotation players. Core Insight: Strus observes Robinson as one of the best shooters he's seen, with exceptional skills. However, no data on shot difficulty, 3-point volume, or defensive attention supports the Curry-level claim. In modern NBA, floor spacing helps teams overachieve, as Heat did in Finals, but Robinson's value is in opening driving lanes rather than creating shots like Curry. The praise from a teammate can build trust, but fans and executives should rely on stats like 3P%, TS%, and On/Off for accurate assessment. Contrarian: While the praise might be exaggerated, it offers a chance to revalue Robinson in the trade market. While some see hype, it proves a shooter like him can create sustainable commercial value. Teams might invest in internal development rather than big-money bets on young players with few high-level games. For example, Heat elevated Robinson from unknown to key asset, and this model remains effective. Chasing 'Curry-level' hype risks wasting resources on players who can't create shots alone. In cap crises and salary structures, recognizing spacing value over star power lets teams like Heat compete better. Crises aren't times to wait but to filter assets that generate long-term revenue through sponsorship and media rights. Takeaway: Strus's praise reminds that a specialized shooter's role can shift a team's dynamics, but fans and investors must stay level-headed. While Robinson may not be Curry, his spacing skill is a valuable asset teams should exploit. The question is whether teams can learn from Heat's model to develop shooters instead of risking expensive purchases. Data doesn't lie, but those who read data are what matters. Each trade number is a story, and spacing like Robinson's can create value if valued correctly.