http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/232298_nate13.html

Nate Robinson turning heads with Knicks summer team

By DAN RALEY
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The temperature, hovering around 113 degrees, is not the only thing
that's been super hot in Las Vegas these days. Nate Robinson's NBA
career is off to such a sizzling start in the desert, people can't
touch him.

Playing in the 16-team Vegas Summer League, the former University of
Washington standout has topped his New York Knicks team in scoring in
each of his four outings, averaging 21.5 points per game. That trails
only Sacramento's Kevin Martin, who's at 22.7.

It's not the NBA regular season, but it's a true test, with Robinson
so far going head to head and holding up well against some of the
league's most touted younger players, Portland's Sebastian Telfair and
Orlando's Jameer Nelson. Knicks management has to be happy; this
Robinson-led team has won all but one of its games, with one left on
the schedule.

(Note: Telfair was misidentified in the original version of this
article.)

"It's crazy, it's great, it's an honor to play in the NBA," the 5-foot-
7 3/4 guard said by phone between a morning workout and a night
game. "I'm just having fun, man. That's all it is, is having fun and
competing. I'm just going with the flow."

There was a baby crying in the background, part of the large Robinson
entourage on hand for his pro indoctrination. More than a dozen
relatives and friends have traveled from the Northwest to hang out and
watch him play this week, counting brothers, cousins, parents and
others, with that high-pitched voice belonging to his eight-month-old
son, Nahmier.

They're all bouncing between the New York, New York casino, where
everyone has rooms, and the Cox Pavilion at the University of Nevada-
Las Vegas, where the games are played.

"He's adjusting very well," said Robinson's mother, Renee Busch. "He's
going to be good. I'm not going to worry about him."

Two weeks after being taken 21st in the NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns
and then traded to New York, Robinson barely has had time to breathe.
There hasn't even been an opportunity to spend any money yet, though
he's decided one of his first purchases will be a new Hummer for
himself to drive.

"I have to wait until I get paid to get anything," he said. "I might
buy my mom something. She deserves it."

Walking through the casino, Robinson regularly gets approached by
knowledgeable basketball fans who want autographs or just to speak to
him, and he's made himself available. He figures it comes with the
territory of being this newly installed NBA player.

The 21-year-old also admits to playing a little blackjack and craps
for the first time, winning a small sum. David Lee, a 6-9 rookie
forward from Florida, fellow first-round pick and apparently a veteran
at the tables, offered the former UW guard and others his expertise.

Robinson has an interesting collection of teammates, who include
Arizona center Channing Frye, UCLA forward Trevor Ariza and Louisville
center Otis George, all guys he's played against in college.
Discussing previous Pac-10 battles, he and Frye have traded some good-
natured jabs.

"I told him, 'In my three years, we got the best of you guys except my
freshman year, when you only beat us in overtime,' " Robinson
said. "We were just messing around. I said, 'We got more W's in the
years I played against you and it's not going to stop this year. They
don't have you and Salim (Stoudamire) anymore. Arizona is going to be
decent, but not as good as the Huskies.'

"I told him, 'It's lucky Martell (Webster) didn't go to the U-Dub or
you would really get smashed.' "

Besides the sideline banter served up, Robinson has been at the top of
his game in all facets. He's connected on 27 of 58 shots from the
field, and hit 26 of 33 from the foul line. He's also averaging four
rebounds and two assists per game.

Once the Vegas schedule concludes this week, Robinson and his fellow
Knicks rookies and job candidates move to Minnesota for another
league. Then it's on to New York, where he will join up with Jamal
Crawford, a Knicks guard and former Rainier Beach High School
teammate.

He might even purchase a condo near the one that Crawford owns in the
city.

Up in the air is the jersey number he'll wear for New York. Robinson
had No. 2 all to himself with the Huskies, but it currently belongs to
veteran Maurice Taylor. Robinson has had to pull on No. 9 in Las
Vegas, but insists it's only temporary identification.

"He probably won't give that up," he said, referring to Taylor. "I'll
have to figure out something to do. I've never been in a position
where I don't get to pick the number I want."

He's not sweating the jersey digit, though. He's too excited to get to
New York, blend in with all the landmarks and show what he can do for
real.

"Just the atmosphere there, it's the mecca of basketball," Robinson
said. "It's the stomping grounds for 'And 1' and the Rucker outdoor
courts. Now to be part of that, it's got me pretty fired up about it."

Looks like Isiah obtained two late lottery talents in this draft

Nate's going to be a breath of fresh air this year...can't wait for the first moment he steps onto the MSG floor

[Edited by - TMS on 07/14/2005 09:22:41]