Growth chart

Spoelstra reflects on Robinson’s yearly improvements

BOSTON — While 10th place is a position rarely celebrated, coach Erik Spoelstra said Wednesday that there is something to be said about Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson receiving the votes to finish tied for that spot in the balloting for 2024 NBA Most Improved Player.

While the award, announced Tuesday, went to Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, Robinson received four thirdplace votes to finish with one fewer point in the weighted media balloting than emerging Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and one more point than Oklahoma City Thunder MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“And it, I think, would have just kept on growing this year, if he was able to stay healthy all the way through,” Spoelstra said, with Robinson limited over the final month of the season by a back issue. “But he’s had those kind of improvements every single year. This year, he just happened to be noticed for it, which I think is great.

“But I’ve noticed the improvement year after year. And, also, the work has been years in the making before he unveils something that our team needs. And this year it was a little bit more off the dribble, off the move, cutting, those kind of things.”

Robinson said after the morning shootaround, ahead of Wednesday night’s Game 2 against the Boston Celtics in this best-of-seven opening-round Eastern Conference playoff series, that he was unaware of the voting tabulation.

“Yeah, I hope I get more votes next year. That’s the goal,” the sixth-year 3-point specialist said. “That’s kind of been the ethos of my whole career, is just trying to continually improve and become a better version of myself. And I still think there’s more to get done in that department.

“I mean, I think this organization does an amazing job of maximizing the day to day and making sure people put their best foot forward to become the best version of themselves.”

Spoelstra said he could have envisioned Bam Adebayo on ballots, with the Heat center not among the 14 players receiving votes from 99 media members with ballots.

“I always feel that Bam could be included in that list of most improved,” Spoelstra said, “because his game dramatically changes for the better for our team every year.”

Herro ball: With the Heat essentially otherwise out of leading options at point guard, with Gabe Vincent having moved on from last season’s playoff roster, Kyle Lowry traded at midseason and Terry Rozier sidelined with a neck injury, Spoelstra reflected Wednesday on Tyler Herro stepping up this postseason at point guard.

“It’s one of the most underrated parts of his game that he’s improved,” Spoelstra said. “And he’s taken it to heart that it loosens up things for him. It’s also really beneficial for us, because he’s so skilled.

“You add the playmaking and the passing to it, it makes the game easier for other guys on our team. That’s some of the things that he’s starting to understand as he grows as an offensive player, to translate it to impact winning.”

Habits, habits, habits: Even with two days off before Wednesday night’s Game 2, and another two before Saturday’s Game 3 at Kaseya Center, Spoelstra said it cannot be a time for cramming.

“We are who we are,” he said at the morning shootaround. “So, again, that’s the deal. If you’re trying to cram for the test and make up for a lot of lost time, you have no chance in the playoffs.

“We have a bunch of great habits. And, yes, they have a very potent offense. But we have habits to be able to be disruptive against anybody in any building. And then offensively, we also have habits to be more intentional.”

Schedule updates: The NBA has updated a pair of schedule scenarios for the series.

The league announced that Monday’s Game 4 between Heat and Celtics at Kaseya Center will be 7:30 p.m. if there is a need for a Game 5 of the Western Conference series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, a series Denver leads 2-0. Otherwise Game 4 of Heat-Celtics on Monday would be at 7 p.m.

In addition, if a Game 5 is necessary in Heat-Celtics, it would be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 1 at TD Garden.

Saturday’s Game 3 at Kaseya Center is 6 p.m.

JOHN MCCALL/SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson looks on during his game against the Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center on March 13 in Miami.