Robinson a Knick sparkplug
Most casual NBA fans know at least a couple of things about Nate Robinson, the New York Knicks' 5-foot-9 point guard.
Early in the 2006-07 season, Robinson create a buzz when he somehow managed to block a dunk attempt by Yao Ming, Houston's 7-foot-6 center. If you haven't seen video of the amazing rejection, you are one of the few.
On a less celebratory level, Robinson was one of the main combatants during the infamous brawl that broke out during a game at Madison Square Garden between the Knicks and the Denver Nuggets.
Robinson received a 10-game suspension for his actions.
My top personal memory of Robinson, however, will always be his exchange with Jazz vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor after a pre-draft workout in 2005.
Before the Jazz traded the No. 6 and No. 27 picks to Portland as part of the deal that allowed them to move up and draft Deron Williams with the third pick, Utah brought in a handful of players who were expected to go late in the first round.
Robinson was one of them.
During the final few minutes of his workout, reporters were allowed into the Jazz's practice facility. As a group of us crowded around O'Connor and asked for his opinion on the players he had just seen, Robinson walked past.
"Nate, what should I tell these people about you?" O'Connor shouted.
Without missing a beat, Robinson turned around said, "Tell them you're going to take me with the sixth pick."
Cracked me up.
Of course, the Jazz didn't take Robinson. They made a deal with Portland to get Williams.
Robinson ended up being taken by Phoenix with the 21st pick. Along with Quentin Richardson, however, the Suns quickly traded Robinson to New York for Kurt Thomas and the rights to Dijon Thompson, who was the No. 54 pick.
Say what you want to about the troubled Isiah Thomas Era in New York, but that particular trade turned out to be a pretty good one for the Knicks.
One other note: David Lee also came to Utah for a pre-draft workout in 2005. The Knicks ended up taking him with the 30th pick, and heís been a steal.
I recently asked one Jazz staff member what they remembered most about Leeís workout in Utah. I was told the power forward from Florida arrived in spectacular physical condition — better than any young player the team has ever brought in prior to a draft.
-- Steve Luhm
Early in the 2006-07 season, Robinson create a buzz when he somehow managed to block a dunk attempt by Yao Ming, Houston's 7-foot-6 center. If you haven't seen video of the amazing rejection, you are one of the few.
On a less celebratory level, Robinson was one of the main combatants during the infamous brawl that broke out during a game at Madison Square Garden between the Knicks and the Denver Nuggets.
Robinson received a 10-game suspension for his actions.
My top personal memory of Robinson, however, will always be his exchange with Jazz vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor after a pre-draft workout in 2005.
Before the Jazz traded the No. 6 and No. 27 picks to Portland as part of the deal that allowed them to move up and draft Deron Williams with the third pick, Utah brought in a handful of players who were expected to go late in the first round.
Robinson was one of them.
During the final few minutes of his workout, reporters were allowed into the Jazz's practice facility. As a group of us crowded around O'Connor and asked for his opinion on the players he had just seen, Robinson walked past.
"Nate, what should I tell these people about you?" O'Connor shouted.
Without missing a beat, Robinson turned around said, "Tell them you're going to take me with the sixth pick."
Cracked me up.
Of course, the Jazz didn't take Robinson. They made a deal with Portland to get Williams.
Robinson ended up being taken by Phoenix with the 21st pick. Along with Quentin Richardson, however, the Suns quickly traded Robinson to New York for Kurt Thomas and the rights to Dijon Thompson, who was the No. 54 pick.
Say what you want to about the troubled Isiah Thomas Era in New York, but that particular trade turned out to be a pretty good one for the Knicks.
One other note: David Lee also came to Utah for a pre-draft workout in 2005. The Knicks ended up taking him with the 30th pick, and heís been a steal.
I recently asked one Jazz staff member what they remembered most about Leeís workout in Utah. I was told the power forward from Florida arrived in spectacular physical condition — better than any young player the team has ever brought in prior to a draft.
-- Steve Luhm
11:42 AM
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1 Comments:
Keep Isiah! Keep Isiah! Keep Isiah!
Jazzaholic
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