NBA FINALS: HEAT VS. NUGGETS

May 31, 2023

Duncan Robinson

Miami Heat

Media Day

Q. I just want to talk to you about altitude. What have you heard about it? Does altitude bother you? How do you acclimate in this brief time?

DUNCAN ROBINSON: I mean, we've played here before, so it's not some folklore that no one has seen before. A lot of us have played here a handful of times.

It's nothing new. We don't expect it to have any sort of impact.

Q. Duncan, you guys have played a lot of different teams. Obviously you've faced Giannis, you've faced Tatum and the Celtics. What is it that's different about this team from what you've seen in the Playoffs so far?

DUNCAN ROBINSON: Yeah, they're playing really well. They have a handful of guys that can beat you on any given night. Obviously starts with those main two, Jokic and Murray.

Really talented offensively, and they're going to make you work for everything defensively. They pose a great challenge for us. We're excited about it. Definitely they play differently a little bit than some of the other teams that we've played, just so much of their offense being focused around those two, but both those guys are such willing passers, as well. It'll be a good challenge.

Q. I know the whole undrafted thing has been a storyline that's been played out this whole postseason, but for you personally these last five, six years, do you ever take a second to look how far you've come personally and professionally as a player?

DUNCAN ROBINSON: Yeah, there's lots of moments, kind of when there's a pause in the action, I guess, if you will, to kind of step back and be appreciative of the journey. When you're in it throughout the day to day, you're just focused on what's next. Obviously your perspective shifts and changes as you advance in your career and you want more for yourself, because we're all competitive people.

But there's always moments to be able to sit back and reflect. A lot of it comes from sharing memories and experiences with people that have kind of been around for the entirety of the journey, family, friends, people in my corner, that are able to kind of offer me that perspective. I value those moments and conversations very much so with those people in particular.

Q. I just gave you a Polaroid when you were in México. What do you remember about that game, and also how has it changed since last December to now in the Finals, your team?

DUNCAN ROBINSON: Yeah, Mexico City was an amazing experience. I just remember the excitement, the energy in that arena. From when we got out there, shootaround and warmups, an hour plus before the game, it was basically packed. Just the entire country it felt like, just excited to have us there.

It was definitely a memorable game, to be able to win that one. A lot has changed, a lot has transpired since then for this group in particular. We've had a lot of ups and downs. But that was definitely a cool moment to look back on in the season.

Q. What's the specific challenge for Jokic as a short roller especially and the options that he provides everybody else on the floor?

DUNCAN ROBINSON: I think the fact that he garners so much attention because he can score, but you have to be smart with how you approach it because he's such a willing passer and they're so good at playing off his overreaction. Finding that balance between making it difficult on him and throwing different looks and multiple defenders and what have you, while also making it so he doesn't constantly get everybody involved and easy looks and get them going as an offensive unit.

Q. For the people that really haven't followed the Heat, what's the secret sauce that you guys have that just allows you to always will yourself to a win?

DUNCAN ROBINSON: I think we have a connection and a competitive spirit, especially lately, just throughout the midst of this run. I think it's kind of all coming together at the right time.

Those two things alone can really, really carry you. You're going to have stretches where the ball is not going in or maybe not playing the way that you want to as a group, but if you kind of have that collective trust and competitive spirit and grit to fall back on, I think that always gives you a chance.

Q. There's a lot of veterans on both sides in this series, but specifically for you guys with Kyle, what kind of value does he bring to the locker room leadership-wise and what is his intensity like on a day-to-day basis?

DUNCAN ROBINSON: Kyle brings a ton of experience, obviously, from a years-in-the-league standpoint and also playoff experience and somebody who's held that trophy at the end. It's a huge luxury to have somebody like that in the locker room.

Obviously I share the court with him a lot, kind of in that second group. He just can come in and just change the whole rhythm and flow of a game.

His impact is so much more than what you see in a box score or what shows up in terms of maybe the game film. He's a trusted leader, somebody that we all kind of count on. I think he does a really good job of navigating that line between discipline and holding people accountable while also maintaining a certain sense of humor and levity to it, as well. He's been huge for us, for sure.