Thomas wants to get more defense out of Robinson, but to ask the energetic 5-9 guard to transform himself into a traditional backup point guard might not be in his, as Thomas put it, "DNA."

"We need Nate to score the ball and not necessarily to run the show," Thomas said. "I think he's more of a Calvin Murphy-type player than a Muggsy Bogues-type player. We want his mentality to always be aggressive and to attack rather than try to make sure we have everybody in the right spot. At his size, if that's all he's going to do, then he probably won't be in the league long, because you can find someone who's 6-5 to get everybody in the right spot."

This is why Thomas thinks he has to get 6-6 rookie Mardy Collins ready for a bigger role, especially when Stephon Marbury's knee gives him trouble.

Collins came to the NBA with a defensive reputation, but Robinson has the tools to be the better player at both ends. He's been noticeably reserved since the 10-game suspension for his role in the brawl with the Nuggets, but Thomas has noticed Robinson's swagger coming back.

Said Thomas, "He's becoming a little pest again."

not in his DNA? not a pg? and did he just sort of say that right now, he's nothing more than a sideshow? i coulda swore i heard all this before. probably just my imagination.

He's becoming a little pest again.

I wonder if Isiah is talking about on the basketball court or team plane?

Nates ride to success:

Posted by Solace:

Great, a 5'7" SG. That's definitely a formula... for a .500 team.

Put Nate on the Mavericks or Phoenix, and no one would be complaining about a 5'7" SG

I don't think there is anything wrong with Nate, beyond ADD, stupidity and low BB IQ.

Just on our mediocre team, its tough to make the max out of his skills and have to cover for his inadequacy.

Wait, wait, wait, so Isiah is saying to us that Nate is better off as a PG then shooting guard?? What what whaaaaaat?????

How long did it take Isiah to figure this out. Larry Brown had it figured out by the end of his training camp. We had it figured out by the end of his first Summer league. I don't think it's exactly been rocket science.

Posted by franco12:

Put Nate on the Mavericks or Phoenix, and no one would be complaining about a 5'7" SG

I don't think there is anything wrong with Nate, beyond ADD, stupidity and low BB IQ.

Just on our mediocre team, its tough to make the max out of his skills and have to cover for his inadequacy.

Our offense is based on dumping the ball into Curry in the half court. The Suns and Mavs (to a lesser extent) push the ball up the court and play a fast paced game.

Nate Robinson has all the tools to be a Ben Gordon type scorer off the bench and defensive pest like linsey hunter. Why would you want to trade that????? Because your a Nateist!!!!!!!!!!

[Edited by - anji on 02-05-2007 10:32 AM]

not in his DNA? not a pg? and did he just sort of say that right now, he's nothing more than a sideshow?

When was it that he was called nothing more than a sideshow? You're just making stuff up now. Being 'not a PG' is far from being a sideshow.

Posted by djsunyc:

This is why Thomas thinks he has to get 6-6 rookie Mardy Collins ready for a bigger role, especially when Stephon Marbury's knee gives him trouble.

If this is the case Why don't we see Mardy, every opportunity that seems right for him, in comes N8. IT's frustrating because I know Collin's has some tools but he doesn't get the opportunity to develop them.

Pest, yea N8's a pest all right... I call him Chucky. Funny thing is though my 7 year old loves him, and when I try to explain, my wife jumps in with a "Leave N8 alone, he tries so hard". I have a special place on the wall in which I bang my head.

[Edited by - 12stepPivot on 02-05-2007 11:36 AM]

Posted by kam77:

not in his DNA? not a pg? and did he just sort of say that right now, he's nothing more than a sideshow?

When was it that he was called nothing more than a sideshow? You're just making stuff up now. Being 'not a PG' is far from being a sideshow.

DJ is actually misquoting Larry Brown, who theorized that Nate was a "highlight reel."

"He's not a point guard," Knicks Coach Larry Brown said regarding Nate Robinson. "Right now, he's a highlight film."

Muggsy Bogues knows an undersized point guard when he sees one, but he's not quite sure what to make of the Knicks' Nate Robinson.

While Larry Brown was reiterating on Wednesday that Robinson is "not a point guard" just yet, Bogues made it clear that Robinson had better learn to become one, because he's definitely not a shooting guard.

"He has to want to be a point guard," Bogues said. "He's not going to be a two-guard in this league. It's not going to happen. If he tries to stay on that pace, his years (in the NBA) are going to be limited."

"He's more of a scoring point guard," Bogues said. "They compare us because we're small. But he's more of a Calvin Murphy type who likes to score a lot. He's very explosive. I like what he brings to the table.

"Coach Brown expects a lot of him. He needs to go around the league and understand what Coach is saying to him and understand what he needs to do to be an asset as opposed to a liability."

"He tells me every day not to be a highlight guy," Robinson said. "It's a challenge, it's difficult. But I'm coming in every day, busting my butt to get better to really understand how to play point guard. It's been a challenge, but it's fun."

I feel like BlueSeats!


[Edited by - queeniepop on 02-05-2007 11:42 AM]