Washington Wizards: 2 thoughts from Jerome Robinson’s debut

Opportunity lies ahead for guard Jerome Robinson, who’ll have to embrace both his strengths and weaknesses as he finds his way with the Washington Wizards.

The Washington Wizards didn’t go overboard at the trade deadline, as some may have suggested. Instead, they opted to bolster their backcourt by acquiring Jerome Robinson.

Drafted with the 14th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the LA Clippers, the 22-year-old guard has seen limited playing time (796 minutes in a season and a half) on the NBA floor.

With the Washington Wizards, Robinson will no doubt see more opportunity than with his previous club. But it’ll be up to him to capitalize on those opportunities and cement his future in the NBA.

He scored five points on 2-of-7 shooting, adding two rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes, but committed three fouls in his short time on the floor.

His debut performance flashed just where he can help, or hurt the Wizards.

Shooting needs improvement

Coming out of Boston College, Jerome Robinson was thought to be an offensive talent.

But his shooting hasn’t translated at all to the NBA. Credit it to the lack of playing time, irregular appearances, or just flat-out culture shock: but he’s having a hard time finding the basket.

In his 75 games with the Clippers, Robinson posted a 36/29/60 shooting split. No bueno.

With the Wizards, he’ll have to improve those numbers in order to earn a spot on next year’s roster. And it’s not that he hasn’t shown the flashes of an NBA-level shooter.

Quite the contrary. As recently as mid-November, Robinson went off for 21 points on an impressively efficient 8-for-13 shooting from the field:

That was the guard’s lone start over his entire season and a half in Los Angeles. Could the key just be more playing time, or will it take some behind the scenes work? Likely both.

Luckily for Robinson, the Wizards’ staff may be the best fit for the task at had. He’s in good hands with this group, but it’ll require his own work and determination to make the necessary improvements.

His debut Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies was an indication of just how far he has to go.

Defensively, he can make a difference

While his shooting didn’t impress to start in his debut with the Wizards, Robinson’s effort on defense was very apparent. It’s what earned him playing time in Los Angeles, and what’s earned others before him the very same in Washington.

If Robinson can continue to maintain a consistent effort on defense, his offensive woes will go widely disregarded. Because the Wizards, well, they’ve got one of the worst on-paper defenses that the NBA has recorded in history. Any impact on that end is bound to result in playing time.

For now the field is wide open, as the Wizards roster features very few defensive experts.

In Los Angeles this season, Robinson recorded a 109 defensive rating. On this Wizards roster? That would rank him first ahead of everyone not named Shabazz Napier, who’s played only one more game than Robinson in Washington.

If nothing else, their most recent loss to the Grizzlies is an absolute showcase of how far away the Wizards are on the defensive end. Rookie point guard phenom Ja Morant went off in a fourth quarter where his team once trailed double digits, leading his team to a win in regulation.

There was no response from the Wizards’ defense. Coach Scott Brooks opted to not play Robinson in the clutch, but he may call on the 22-year old for the next opportunity.

The Washington Wizards invested in their present and their future when they acquired Jerome Robinson and let go of Isaiah Thomas.

His shooting is his biggest weakness, and his defense is his biggest strength. Improving one while maintaining the other is Robinson’s best ticket at securing a place on next year’s roster.