A Different Nate?

by Andy Bauer on January 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 am

If the term “6th man” was defined in a dictionary, it would probably be Nate Robinson’s performance verbatim. While the Knicks offense in Atlanta seemed stagnant, Nate came in and aggressively attacked the basket creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. The Knicks offense was lacking ball movement as players were settling for contested shots instead of moving the ball around for open shots.

When Robinson came in, however, he was able to space out the floor, and when the defense collapsed on him, players like Harrington and Gallinari were able to get wide open shots. And when the game came down to the line, often when the Knicks crumple, Robinson stepped up and took over the game eluding every defender the Hawks threw at him from Joe Johnson to the league’s best shot blocker Josh Smith.

So what is so different between pre-benched Robinson and post-benched Robinson? After all, just before Nate was benched, he went off against the Magic literally taking over the game in the 4th quarter scoring 24 points. However, in this game, instead of trying to pump up the crowd, Nate was a swarming bee on defense forcing contesting shots, pressuring the ball handlers, and forcing turnovers. What made the difference in this game was the Knicks ability to capitalize on the turnovers as Nate pushed the ball up the court creating havoc for the defense. Nate played under control taking what the defense gave him often taking advantage of mismatches or find the open man putting him in a position to score himself.

This seemed like a new Nate Robinson, a more focused Robinson feeding off his own emotions rather than the crowd’s. This Nate Robinson seemed more focused on winning rather than his own individual performance. This Nate Robinson looked like the point guard of the future rather than the next player buried in Mike D’Antoni’s doghouse. But as Tommy filmed the other day, Nate said himself that he hasn’t changed anything, albeit he’s now more humble.
  • Dave the Rave

    Over the years we have seen a “new” N8 serveral times after past transgressions, then he suddenly loses it. On the last day of the season if he has stayed under control then I will believe he is growing up. One game when he was under the microscope does not prove anything, IMO. He could use some sports psychology training to learn to channel his wild emotions in the right place all the time, and he needs a “big brother” on the bench, something D’A's staff of stuffed shirts surely cannot provide.

  • Hydr0

    I like Nate too, but it was only one game. If you only judge him on that game only he’s not just the definition of a sixth man but also the definition of a Hall of Fame player too. Let’s not get carried away.

    Once again, it was only one game. Let’s give it some time before we crown Nate the Knicks point guard of the future. I would love for it to happen, but it is doubtful at this point in time.

  • BiggieSmalls

    saying Nate is the PG of the future is the same mistake we made with Jamal Crawford.

    You are putting the player in a position to fail.

    Nate is not a Point Guard and is best used off the bench for 20-30 minutes as an energy player on a good team..

    he can be very valuable to us in teh future as an under the mid level salaried 6th man

  • Chris Alvino

    Biggie is right. Nate cannot be the point guard of the future. He is not a facilitator. He is a pure scorer from anywhere on the floor. There is nothing wrong with that, but if the Knicks try and pawn him off as a full time PG, there will be problems.

    In terms of ever giving him the MLE, I do not think so.

    I have a hard time believing that he will be here in the future. Will Walsh invest big, long-term dollars into him after the season? Tough question…

  • BiggieSmalls

    there needs to be some healing over the next two thirds of the season before Nate commits here long term..

    In fairness I did say he should get UNDER the MLE
    maybe Raja Bell type money..

    I can see him getting 5 mil per .. Big dollars? not in the grand scheme of things..

  • ds2488

    Great post. Nate definitely needs some time to heal if he is going to stay here longterm, but it would definitely be for around or less than the MLE. The thing about Nate that has always been so frustrating to me is it does seem like he can be a pg, if he just changes that warrior attack mentality a little and plays more under control. There is no one in the league who can stay in front of him, once he realizes that and the fact that the whole defense collapses whenver he penetrates, he could possibly look to pass first and then I see no reason why he can’t easily average 7+ assists per game.

  • x-man

    Good pts all! I truly believe if N8 had a real good coach who could communicate and provide accountability, he would be a long-term factor in helping this team be a winner.

    N8 is not very good facilitator for sure but he sure could be one. He could help make Gallo a superstar.

    It’s on the coach to help N8 pick his spots and develop a better IQ on when to assert his own offense, set up others or just get other key players easy baskets to get them going.

    We’ve seen N8 go for many games dominating the offense but that’s only part of the equation that he can bring to the table………providing he has a good coach!

  • x-man

    Come on Biggie, Jamal has a weak handle. He carries the ball almost every time and he can’t guard a fire hydrant despite all his quickness. This dude plays defense with his hands only.

    Jamal is a #2 at best and giving him the ball at end of games in isolation, watching him dribble dribble dribble, he #2′d on us!
    i agree with ya on most pts but N8 could be a scoring pt guard providing he becomes a better facilitator and learn to pick his spots. He’s still better than Duhon now! lol

  • Dave the Rave

    N8 is a 6th man spark plug. He is not a team quarterback PG. Duhon is gone at the end of this season. DW must be looking for a superstar PG or least a very good one who can take over the team for next year.

  • bockersORbriefs

    Hey x-man, your quotes above are exactly on point :

    ” I truly believe if N8 had a real good coach who could communicate and provide accountability, he would be a long-term factor in helping this team be a winner … It’s on the coach to help N8 pick his spots and develop a better IQ on when to assert his own offense, set up others or just get other key players easy baskets to get them going.”

    Sadly, it’s very unlikely we’ll have N8 next year & that will be a shame. You see that Memphis & the Nets already made trade offers for him so it’s obvious he’ll get offers as a UFA in the summer. And I hope the Nets are still interested. He will be great for them both on & off the court. And to hell with the 3 wins, the Nets have more young studs who are actually developing now than the Knicks. If you take Bro-Lo, CDR, Yi, Devin Harris, C-Lee, T Williams add Nate & a big time FA (Boozer?) and , at minimum, the 3rd pick in the draft, you’ve got bomb squad potential.

    And x-man, how about if the coach with the attributes you described winds up being Mark Jackson or Tom Thibodeau? Nate & the Nyets will be high flying and we can still watch Krypto’s exploits locally … Again, sadly for the Knicks …

  • HaS

    Yeah he must be. SMH.

  • Dave the Rave

    You think he’s going to re-sign Duhon?

  • Andy Bauer

    You are right. Nate Roinson is NOT the point guard of the future. But, he is certainly a guy that could work extremely well with Lebron James someone who also likes to have the ball in his hands.

    And Nate has the ability to faciliate others. The way in which he draws defenders allows for guys like Gallinari to get open.

    And Nate often does make the pass.

    What I like about Nate is he has the ability to take guards off the dribble something Duhon cannot. (without a nice screen by David Lee)

  • bob go knicks

    did’nt he start one game at point guard last year when Duhon was hurt ,and had a great game,and veryone here thought we had a point guard,then he regressed to what he normally does when he gets too full of himself

  • bob go knicks

    so you’re saying we should trade him to cleveland,so he can play with Lebron?