Robinson Ready for Knicks Revival in 2008-09

Photo Gallery: Robinson's 2007-08 Season
As the start of a new season -- and a new era -- of New York Knicks basketball draws closer, NYKnicks.com will sit down with the players, coaches and others closely associated with the team to discuss their thoughts on the outlook for 2008-09.

We continue the series with dynamic Knicks guard Nate Robinson, who discusses his role in Mike D’Antoni’s high octane offense and his expectations for a new era of Knicks basketball

NYKnicks.com: The biggest change in the Knicks since the last time we spoke with you is the whole transition with Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni coming aboard. What are your thoughts on this process?

Nate Robinson: Well, I'm just really excited. It's overwhelming, having a new coach, new staff and a couple of new teammates. For the most part, it's giving us the chance to start fresh. So we've got to make the most out of that. We need to come in now and find team chemistry immediately. That's what we need. We need guys to really buy into what coach is selling, and that's victories. We want to win, and that's the main thing. We haven't won in the four years I've been here, and that's something that we've got to get better at doing -- winning basketball games.

NYKnicks.com: So what exactly has Coach D'Antoni said that he expects out of you?

Robinson: He said he's watched a lot of film on me and doesn't see a lot of weaknesses. He wants me to continue to get better as a person and as a player. For the most part, that means coming in like (Leandro) Barbosa, who was Sixth Man of the Year, or whatever it may be. But most importantly, he said he was going to be disappointed if I don't win this ball club fifty-something games, so I've got a lot of work to do.

NYKnicks.com: A lot of people think you are one of the guys who will to benefit most from his system and really flourish. What do you have to say to that?

Robinson: Well, we'll have to wait and see, but just because of the way that he plays, it suits guys like me and Jamal (Crawford). But really, I just want to win. And if we succeed by playing that way, then I'm with it. Whatever way it is, I support it 100 percent. I'm behind the team and our coaching staff.

NYKnicks.com: How about you conversations with Donnie Walsh? What have you discussed with him?

Nate Robinson: Well, I had a really good talk with Donnie in my exit meeting before the summer, and I've seen him a bunch of times when I've been working out at the gym. He tells me to keep working hard and that I'm doing a phenomenal job. But with him, he's so honest; he keeps it 100 percent with me. In my exit meeting, he told me exactly what he thought about the whole situation and how I play and fit in. He likes how I play hard and he is proud of me and that I give Knicks fans a reason to cheer with the way that I play. That goes a long way. I try to have the way that I play reflect off on my teammates, and hopefully other young kids growing up can be inspired as well.

NYKnicks.com: Speaking of which, we are here at your annual basketball camp, which you seem to take a lot of pride in. What is the most rewarding part about running your own camp?

Nate Robinson: Getting to know the kids. Getting to know their strengths and weaknesses, their personality, their likes and dislikes and whatnot. It goes a long way for me, because down the line, I remember a lot of their names from last year. A lot of them are here. And there are a lot of new faces here as well, and that's cool because these kids really look up to me. And for me to be here every day, it shows a lot. Hopefully they see that I'm really cool and really care about them. I'm here to help them getting better. For the most part, Gary Payton was the same way for me growing up, and that's how I saw him. He was my role model and that's where I get it from.

NYKnicks.com: I was just going to ask what your inspiration was for it. So I guess it was Gary?

Robinson: Yeah. As a kid growing up, he was always around in Seattle. He came to a lot of community centers where I grew up, and just seeing him a lot, it made my day.

NYKnicks.com: Speaking of Seattle, you have a lot of strong roots there. How sad are you to see the Sonics go?

Robinson: Oh it's sad, man. I'm heartbroken. Honestly. But the one good thing about it is it shows we are going to have a team come back soon since they kept the name and colors. So that's a good thing at least. They just moved and relocated, but they will bring the game back to Seattle. But for now, yeah, I'm pretty broken up about it.

NYKnicks.com: You had a nice little ceremony this summer when they retired your Summer League jersey after you set a lot of records. What was that like?

Robinson: Oh man (laughs). That was kind of cool. All of my friends called me and were like, 'Nate, you're getting your number retired?!?' (laughs) They made some jokes about it, but it's a cool thing and Summer League has been good to me. Hopefully it inspires some other young guys to contribute and work hard, and hopefully there will be some more jerseys up on that wall.

NYKnicks.com: You were out in Summer League, so you saw Danilo Gallinari up close and personal. What are your thoughts on him?

Robinson: He's good. He's got a lot of potential. A lot. We've still got to mold him. He's still got a long way to go, coming in being a rookie. But the best thing he's got going for him is that he's coming into the best city in the country, and that's New York City. For him to come here now so young and so ripe, some of the veterans like Malik (Rose) can really mold him and set him down a good path. But he's got to come here ready to play. We're not going to hand anything to him, you know. A lot of the big guys like Eddy (Curry), Z-Bo (Zach Randolph) and Jared (Jeffries), they want to see him do well so they will push him and push him hard. I think he will respond though. He's a talent.

NYKnicks.com: The other new teammate now is Chris Duhon, who's going to join you in the backcourt. How do you feel about him?

Nate Robinson: Oh, I'm definitely excited about him. I know he plays hard, and one thing I like about Chris is that he never backs down. Many times when we played him on Chicago, me and him went at it, and he never backed down. He plays hard, he plays as a team, and that is what we need on this team. We need guys that play together as a team. Coach says that's what we need to do, and to become motivated to be team players. I reckon there will be a lot of guys who can learn a lot from Chris in how to play as a team. When you have guys like that on your team, you're going to win a lot of ball games.

NYKnicks.com: You were one of the few players who really stood out and took another step forward last season in your progress as a professional. What did you improve upon last year that you are most proud of?

Robinson: Patience. Letting the game come to me. You know, I had a lot of games where I really didn't try to do too much, and let the flow come to me. I mean, yeah, I had the games where I put on a little of the 'Nate the Great' type deal, but – like my father said, 'never be afraid of success.' So, I try to go out and try to succeed in everything I do. And so far, it's gotten me to where I am today. But that doesn't mean I just sit back. I've got to consistently get better and improve, and I think I did that last year by being more patient.

NYKnicks.com: A lot of the fans who weren't around in the 1990s during the Knicks' deep playoff runs, bring you up when describing their all-time favorite Knicks moments -- such as when you had some of your big dunks, or when you scored 45 points in one game. What does that mean to you?

Robinson: That mean's a lot. I mean -- wow. That feels good, but I'd like to be known as a contributor on a team that went deep into the playoffs like you just said. I think it shows that once we start winning, everything is going to skyrocket. Not just for myself, but for my teammates and our team. We are going to get recognition as the New York Knicks that are winning, and not just as individual players with individual highlights. Everyone is going to contribute to it. When you play to not get credit, you'd be surprised how successful you can be. And that's when the whole team is successful, and as a whole, everyone gets credit. Each guy has got to play for each other, and not just individually, and if we do that, we'll be a real good team.

NYKnicks.com: Everyone keeps talking about how much the Atlantic Division has improved. You've got Jermaine O'Neal up in Toronto now, and then Philly went out and got Elton Brand. How do you feel about the Atlantic?

Robinson: Well, I mean, it's scary. First you have the world champs, and then to counteract that, a lot of GM's made some big moves, and for ourselves, I like what we've got and who we've got. I think it will be kind of cool to see how far we can go, and I'm really excited about playing basketball and having a good season in the NBA.

NYKnicks.com: How about the Eastern Conference as a whole. With all the changes, do you think you guys will be fighting for one of those final playoff spots?

Robinson: You know, I want all these people to say that we aren't going to make the playoffs again, so this year when we do, we can really tell everyone ‘we told you so'. So I hope they've got us dead last so when we finish at the top of the list, we can throw it in their faces.

NYKnicks.com: You sound pretty confident and excited to get started.

Robinson: It feels good around here. With all the changes going on around here and the new regime, I feel like I can lace up my sneakers and play the game that I love truly. I thank God for each opportunity that I get to open my eyes, see another day and spend time with my kids and my family and my girlfriend. I'm just really happy right now and things are turning a corner on the court, too.

NYKnicks.com: Finally, what message would you like to convey to Knicks fans heading into this season? What do you want to tell the fans who are going to come out to support you at The Garden this year?

Robinson: I want to tell them to wear their seatbelts! (laughs) They need to get seatbelts in The Garden because it's going to be a crazy ride in The Garden this year, and it's going to be a good one. I'm real excited. I want to tell them to come cheer, be behind us and support us. We love you guys no matter what, and you've stuck with us, and now this year we're going to give you something to cheer about.

was sorta hoping he'd ask him about Steph... Nate, please do throw it all back in our faces, cuz none of us think you're gonna finish at the top of the Atlantic this year.

Every year he talks about throwing stuff in people's faces. Personally I can't wait to have some crap on my face. How many sub 25 win seasons to people have to endure before they stop being considered "haters"? They haven't been doubters, they've just been right.

That being said, as crazy as the guy is and as little effect as he's had on the team, I like his attitude.

[Edited by - bippity10 on 28-08-2008 08:34 AM]

Posted by Bippity10:

Personally I can't wait to have some crap on my face.

chill bro.. .let's keep those kinda subjects to the OT forums.

His thoughts on Chris D was interesting, A lot people i talk to think he's the best team player we have now. I never paid to much attention to him in chi town, and his main attributes on NBA LIVE and 2K sports is 3pt shooting.