The other Ben Gordon
Nate Robinson
Once upon a time, somebody in the Dime office told me Nate Robinson would be out of the NBA within three years. Today, stubborn as ever, that same guy still insists Robinson is inevitably headed to Europe, even though “Krypto-Nate” has already established himself as one of the most explosive scoring guards in the League and one of its most popular players.
And this summer, with Ben Gordon headed to Detroit, Nate is the best remaining free agent for a team looking for a quick-strike perimeter scorer off the bench.
Forget the dunk contests — Nate had his breakout as an actual NBA player in the second half of last season, when he dropped 25-plus points in a game 12 times over the last two and a half months, and finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting while averaging 17.2 points a night.
According to yesterday’s New York Post, the Lakers and Magic are two of the teams targeting Nate in free agency, with Orlando especially interested since they’re losing Hedo Turkoglu. The Blazers, Heat and Bulls are also believed to be in the mix. At the same time, other reports say the restricted free agent Robinson may accept New York’s $2.9 million qualifying offer and wait until 2010 to hit the free agent market, when he’d be unrestricted.
If he stays available this year, Robinson won’t cost more than $4-5 million a year. At less than half the price of Ben Gordon, he could have more than twice as many teams in position to get him on their side.
For the right price, would you want Nate Robinson on your team?
July 5th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Dagomar says:
I would throw up if the Lakers add him too. Orlando could really use him as a sparkplug off the bench, but then so could most teams. Do the Cavs have any interest? I wish the Raps had money to sign him.
July 5th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
B Nice says:
He is not going to the Lakers. He doesnt seem like a player that would lend himself to the triangle. And the Lakers have no money to sign him considering that they gave all of their MLE to Ron Ron.
July 5th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
BRUCE says:
Lakers already have The Machine whom fancies him as a defender but not another jacker on the 2nd unit. Sign Shannon Brown instead, Brown have the size to defend the likes of Billups, D-Will, Westbrook, Paul, and so on.
July 5th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
dk says:
Just so you babies know, the Lakers get what they want. Nate is almost a Laker right now. All that is left is crossing the t’s and dottin the i’s, wah! The Lakes pick up a top notch d and o player!!!!
July 5th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Sweet English says:
I would love Nate on my team. He’s the closest thing to Muggsy in the league (not just height wise) and Bogues is still one of my top 5 all time favourite players.
July 5th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
danksy says:
1st - Nate is a great scorer despite his size, which people seem to judge him on, A.I is only a little taller and he has scored more points than most in his career.
2nd - he’d be a great fit on the lakers, it doesnt matter if he wont fit in the triangle offense, the 2nd unit are more of a run and gun unit, he’d be instant offense off the bench for the champs.
3rd - u’d all cheer for him if he signs for your team
July 5th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
top_gun says:
How can you compare him to Mugsy ? Dude was 5′3″, Nate must atleast be 5′10″. No one will ever be able to get in the L being that tall…5′3″ son !
July 5th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
dk says:
@ Austin Im sure theres plenty of people that dont know much about basketball in the office…
July 5th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Seany T says:
Robinson is a great luxury player, if you can afford to pay him the money to come off the bench. If you take him for what he is then you won’t be disappointed. I’d love to see him stay in New York, but not at the cost of eating into 2010 capspace.
July 5th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
dk says:
@9 Smart man, thats why were gonna send some shit expiring contracts over when we take him, the Lakers care.
July 5th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
LFan says:
Billups and Williams and Kidd must be licking their lips at the opportunity to shoot over Nate all game.
July 5th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Baby Huey says:
If you will refer to SMACK this morning, Nate had a breakout year in D’antoni’s “stats-on-crack system”, which doesn’t really bode well for a team that might want to play some semblance of defense……just a thought
July 5th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
dk says:
@12 The defense will be fine, we just need that little instant o for 15 minutes a game.
July 5th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
aaron says:
baby huey said it best.
July 5th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
dk says:
@ 11 Yeah every team fears that deadly shot of Kidds….
July 5th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
"Tha Boddy" Bad Like Michael says:
@ dk post 15
Kidd will fk you up if you sleep on him unlike Rondo
July 5th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
frenchbk says:
@LF Fan
licking their lips? (please tell me you meant chops)
Nate will fit in and contribute in any place that already has a dominant scorer and personality.
July 5th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Gerard says:
There’s a reason none of the stat GMs are pursuing Nate - he is inefficient.
July 5th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
knock knock says:
Only way Nate could help the lakers is by winning the dunk contest
July 5th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
flavur says:
I would love to have Nate on my team his explosive offense is an asset to any team and any NBA player would tel you that they would rather have a player whose willing to take a lot of shots rather than a player whose not willing to shoot.
July 5th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
redstorm11 says:
nate is not 5 9 he has said it him self he is closer to the 5′6″ mark
July 5th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
jzsmoove says:
me and Nate are almost similar in stature. I’m probably close to 5′6″” without socks and shoes no need to sugarcoat it. Except I got a 21″ vertical, 5′8″ wingspan and I can bench 110 lbs 2X. I sent the Raptors my bio and still dont get a phone call from Colangelo. wtf? am I missing something? I also made BC aware I expect only to sign for the league minimum as a hometown discount. Hell I can bike it to Air Canada Center in 10 mins I wont ever miss practice.
In any case if the Raptors decide to sign Nate instead, I’m cool with that. Best man wins.
July 5th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
LFan says:
DK- LMAO! Good point.
July 5th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
POPPI GEE says:
Nate needs to stay in NY where he can thrive and be marketed and continue to shine, especially with that system.
July 5th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
QQ says:
W could use him in O-Town, assuming he won’t force things when it isn’t going his way. He is at his best when he just let his game flow (crazy speed and ability to get the ball in the hole), instead of attempting 3 straight jumpshots.
July 5th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
heartbreaker85 says:
he has heart.
he aint no point guard.
too small to play SG and DEFEND GOOD SGs
stay in mike’s “stats on ‘roids” system if you ask me and be the “man” in NYC til the summer of 2010.
July 5th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
scout says:
sheed to boston is official
July 5th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
dk says:
@27 lol, thats like finding out your 5th option booty call just got married…
July 5th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
ponky_alolor says:
Krypto-nate should be in Orlando and jump over Dwight during the warm-up time.
Should at least be a good show those two.
July 6th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Willis says:
@16
so that’s what his woman was doing… she probably went and bought a pillow the next day
July 6th, 2009 at 1:59 am
MOVEZ says:
knicks or the cavs Nate!
July 6th, 2009 at 6:21 am
fLaVa says:
Lakers please dont sign Nate and use that money on Odom to make another run at the title!!!
July 6th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Leonard Wilson says:
Lakers need to forget about Nat Robinson and resign Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown immediately! Ron Artest is a great addition to next years team but we cannot repeat without Odom and strength at the pg position.