Nate Robinson – SLAM

Nate Robinson’s Boxing Debut Ends in Knockout

Nick Crain — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 17:44:28 +0000

Nate Robinson is best known for being an NBA Slam Dunk Contest legend, winning the competition in 2006, 2009 and 2010. However, since his NBA career ended, he has taken up boxing and fought on the big stage last weekend against YouTube personality Jake Paul.

Robinson was at a major height disadvantage at 5-foot-9 to Paul’s 6-foot-1. When it was all said and done, the fight lasted just two rounds before Robinson was knocked out by Paul in the cruiserweight fight held at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Jake Paul knocks out Nate Robinson https://t.co/jFM6V21N4C
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 29, 2020

This was the talk of NBA Twitter on Saturday night as the world watched 36-year-old Robinson fight. While Robinson was one of the most exciting NBA players during his time, he’s got his work cut out for him in the ring.

In his NBA career, Robinson averaged 11.0 points per game, playing on eight different teams. While his boxing career got off to a rough start in his debut, he will look to turn it around in future matches.

NIGHT NIGHT
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) November 29, 2020

Be ok Nate……come on man.
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) November 29, 2020

That was no representation of the NBA Family lol
— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) November 29, 2020

Praying for Nate Robinson
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 30, 2020

Foh with your disrespect for Nate Robinson. pic.twitter.com/mpm0VugdOV
— SLAM Rewind (@SLAMRewind) November 30, 2020

The post Nate Robinson’s Boxing Debut Ends in Knockout appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson, YouTube Star Jake Paul to Fight Before Mike Tyson Bout

Austin Kent — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 18:16:28 +0000

Former NBA player Nate Robinson will try his hand at professional boxing, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports. As rumored, Robinson will fight YouTube star Jake Paul as an undercard event for the upcoming Mike Tyson – Roy Jones Jr. fight later this year.

While there’s plenty to unpack in that paragraph alone, Robinson’s athletic talent across multiple sports is no joke. In addition to being an 11-year NBA veteran and one of the best slam dunk contest participants of all-time, he played college football at the University of Washington.

The exhibition fight, which pits icons of football history (both Tyson and Jones Jr. are now north of 50) against one another, will take place on Sep. 12.

While the fight marks Robinson’s first foray into professional boxing, his opponent got his first taste of it last year. Paul won a match against another YouTube personality via technical knockout last December.

We’ll leave the actual boxing analysis to the professionals in that field and instead wish the NBA alum well with his new endeavor. Can’t be harder than the time he learned to drop in to Tony Hawk’s skateboard park, right?

The post Nate Robinson, YouTube Star Jake Paul to Fight Before Mike Tyson Bout appeared first on SLAM.

STORYTIME: Quentin Richardson Shares Nate Robinson Prank and More

Alex Squadron — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 15:41:07 +0000

WELCOME TO STORYTIME.

In this SLAM series, veteran/retired players share some of the best, funniest and most unforgettable stories from their careers.

READ: Storytime with Monta Ellis

—

Since retiring in 2013, Quentin Richardson has dedicated his next chapter to sharing the epic stories from his career and covering the game he loves.

And the tales are endless. Q-Rich grew up in Chicago, IL, and starred at DePaul University before entering the League as the 18th overall pick in 2000. Over the next 13 years, he brought hype and excitement to LA, filled a crucial role on a historic Phoenix team, won the 2005 Three-Point Shootout and reached the postseason with the Heat, Magic and Knicks. Richardson’s toughness and grit—built on the playgrounds of the Windy City—led to a long, successful basketball journey.

We caught up with the former guard during 2020 All-Star Weekend in Chicago. Quentin returned to the park he played at as a kid to dedicate a new court. On the way there, he entertained us with some of those epic stories and talked about being back home, competing against Kobe Bryant and more:

—

SLAM: What’s the best prank in the NBA that you ever saw?

QR: The best prank in the NBA I saw would absolutely have to involve Nate Robinson. My four years with the Knicks, Nate was there the whole time. He had a plethora of stuff, it was endless. The one that always jumps out in my mind—he was late to a team plane. We had, like, a 3:00 plane to go somewhere and my man was late for one reason and one reason only: He had to stop and get Ex-Lax. Why did he have to stop and get Ex-Lax? Because he wanted to put it in Eddy Curry’s cereal on the plane. True story. This really happened. He succeeded. And you want to know the real bad part about it? Eddy Curry ate the cereal with the Ex-Lax in it, got his stomach all messed up, had to use the bathroom all day and I don’t remember if he actually missed a game or almost missed a game because of dehydration, but one of the two occurred. He either missed a game or came close to missing a game because he was dehydrated from going to the bathroom too much.

SLAM: Did Nate tell people at the time?

QR: I knew. A few of us knew, nobody else. But the ones that were tight with Nate, we knew. Eddy found out that day when he had the… you know…

On our team plane, Nate was the guy. He got all the snacks. He was the rookie. You know, rookie duties. Nate would come on the plane with grocery bags, boxes of cereal, chips, food for everybody to eat. You got the team training staff, they’re trying to bring the healthy stuff—they had to change all the food. At this point, Nate’s a rookie, we had him get all the snacks. He knew all the snacks we wanted. He used to do all that. That man made an extra stop to get the Ex-Lax.

SLAM: He was a rookie when he did that?

QR: Yeah, Nate was my rookie. Listen, you all see who Nate Robinson is. That man is the little brother that was forced on us [laughs]. There would be times when Zeke [Isiah Thomas] was coaching us that Nate would just be going crazy. Zeke could yell like somebody’s angry grandpa: ‘NATE!!’ It was like that.

SLAM: What’s your best D-Miles story?

QR: Best D-Miles story? [It’s from] our rookie year. KG is everything to D-Miles. He wears 21 because of him. We used to call him little KG when he was in high school. KG is all that to him. His rookie year, we first go to play Minnesota, in Minnesota. It’s his first game against KG, right? So my boy charged up… We go out and play these dudes, and we’re laying an egg. We’re in the Target Center getting bopped. Halftime, I ain’t never seen this out of my bro. D-Miles had passion, vigor. He’s sitting there, Coach Gentry’s doing his spiel, telling us we ain’t doing nothing. D-Miles gets up: [high pitched voice] ‘Man, come on!’ He ain’t used to talking. He starts crying at halftime because he’s so emotional. He doesn’t do this. He doesn’t address the team. None of that. I start laughing. I said, ‘Bro, I feel you. Don’t be crying out here, though.’ Man was crying, voice went high. I said, ‘Boy, you want to play hard against KG, huh?’

SLAM: Did you guys win?

QR: No. [His speech] didn’t work [laughs]. But that’s a D-Miles story.

SLAM: What’s your greatest or proudest moment on a basketball court?

QR: Probably right now, where we’re going. Going to have a court dedicated in—this is, literally, the epicenter of my childhood, where I grew up, everything. Things that made me who I am, a lot of them came from this park. I get my toughness, my physicality [from here]. This is where I learned—when you get knocked down, you get back up. If someone tries you, you stand up to them. This is where I learned to stand up for myself. I learned to defend myself, defend my cousins, my brothers, my family, whoever. This is where I learned a lot of my life lessons and core values and saw things that would impact me moving forward in my life. This park is the epicenter of my whole childhood, all the way up until I was 13, 14 years old and my grandmother passed and we moved. That was it. Every day after school, we’d walk from school, go through the park, drop our stuff off, go back to the park, if you don’t stop at the park first. That was it. I had one of those houses, my grandmother’s house, where we had four or five families up in there. So there were kids everywhere. Like, 14-15 of us. To the same grade school. To the park. At the crib, running around on the weekends. It was the landing spot. We got out of school and all the kids went there. It was everything. So for me to be able to put something back in this neighborhood that I literally grew up in and to go and be impactful and do things like that. That’s the biggest thing I could do, man. I made it to the NBA and I have a good life for my family and things like that, but for me to be able to go back to my neighborhood and try to impact the next Q-Rich to come out of there or whoever it’s going to be. Just giving them a safer, better environment than we had growing up to play on the court. This court we’re putting in, it’s bigger, so they can do programs and kids camps and things like that to get some production in the park. You’ll see, [there’s] not much [in the park]—it’s a field house and the courts and then there’s a big baseball field. There’s not a whole lot going on there but there’s a lot to get into. That’s where I first saw another dude come up on the court and just spray. We trying to be kids on the playground and then they open up. This park is for real. I seen it all up here. The good, the bad, the ugly. It all happened at this park. Deadass serious. I’ve seen people get beat up, people get shot at, whole park go running. I’ve seen big, fun things, good block parties and birthday parties. Whichever end of the spectrum you want to go to, we’ve seen it over here.

SLAM: Did you grow up dreaming about opportunities like this to give back to the neighborhood?

QR: It’s kind of one of those things, you just be living life. I never really thought about it. A lot of times, well, at least for me, I don’t know about everybody else—throughout my career, I was living life. I’m trying to help my family and my people and make sure everything’s straight. So for me, I hadn’t got to that point to think about this. I would do camps and always did a kids camp with neighborhoods, but I hadn’t thought about doing something like this, putting a court in and trying to be impactful in that way. It came at a good time where I was open to that type of thing. For the whole time, you gotta think, when I got to the League, it was about first securing the bag and making sure me and my immediate family could be straight. But then, after I continued on in the League, it’s like, How can I help my friends? How can I help my inner circle? How can I make everybody be straight? It hadn’t got out to the whole—outside of doing, you know I did turkey drives, Christmas drives, back to school stuff, backpack giveaways—I did those type of things. But for me, this is something that I can walk away and it’s going to always be there. Wherever I’m at, I could be way down in Florida not doing anything and some kid can come up and it’s going to be his court. Cooper Park is going to be, for a lot of those kids in the neighborhood, what it was for me. That’s what they got. That’s what’s there. Some of them are in the same situation. Some of them got a lot of cousins that they’re living with in one house. Some of them don’t. Some of them might be by themselves. But when we went to that park, it was a community. You know how it is in the hood, you got the park, you got courts, that be all you have sometimes. You ain’t got a whole lot of nothing but you got that park, that playground, even if you’re just out there running around, that’s your freedom from whatever could be fucked up at home, could be tough. Some kids ain’t got clothes to change into. They’re out there in that park and they’re just playing. That’s where you learn everything.

SLAM: You got the chance to know and go head-to-head with Kobe during your career. Can you describe what made him special? How was he different from other competitors?

QR: Man, what made Kob’ who he was…

NBA players, professional athletes, we say what sounds good a lot. We talk about things that sound good a lot. The difference with Kobe is that he legitimately went out there and did exactly what he was talking about. No matter how hard or how difficult it was, he was committed and was one of the few people who was really doing exactly what he said. You know, you might hear somebody over-exaggerate: Man, I do this or that. I think he was the only person that whatever he said, I literally believed exactly what he said because I knew he was that type of focused dude to do it. You know how if somebody’s talking to you, like, Man, I worked out four times today. I’ll be like, Alright, you’re blowing smoke. When he said that it was like, OK, why did you do that? I know you’re maniacal about this shit so I know you legit did it. What did you do? There’s going to be an intrigue to whatever he said because you know that he did it. And you saw it. I lived in L.A. for the first four years of my career and I never saw him anywhere outside a basketball gym. Ever. Not one time. Nothing. I told him that and he legit said, At that point, I wasn’t anywhere but there. You weren’t going to catch me but a couple of places. That’s all I was doing. There wasn’t nothing else to do for me... That’s why when you get on the court, playing against him is like you’re in the third person. I’m outside of my body like, what is this dude about to do? He legit would do anything. You’ve seen clips of him shooting left-hand jumpers when his arm was hurt. And hitting it. A real shot in a game. What?

SLAM: You had to guard him, right?

QR: Every time. I’ve seen every version of him, whichever one you want to talk about. I had to check him the whole time. That was my position, my matchup, same height, all of that.

SLAM: What did you do to prepare for that?

QR: Lock up. If shit got too real, I’m gonna foul the fuck out of him. I’m deadass. The game he hit 61 in the Garden, I didn’t play a whole lot. They had Wilson Chandler on him for most of the game. But when I got in, Spike Lee right there talking crazy, doing all that stuff. Kobe’s talking crazy to Spike. He pulled a three from the little hash mark and was turning around and talking to him. Next play down the court, as soon as he got the ball, I just ran up into him. BAM! I just hit him in his throat. Just letting him know, it’s different out here right now. You’re not about to do [all that].

But I’m telling you, you ain’t seen nobody like him. A lot of people talk about it—Oh, I’m going to do [this and that]. No, [Kobe did] three workouts a day starting at 4:00 am and all of this. The Mamba Mentality is a real, real thing and the man was no joke. That was the one dude—you can ask anybody—he was the one dude that every single time, he was not going to miss an opportunity to try and kill you. No days off. None. Not one of these games he’s taking light. I ain’t seen nothing like that. He come in, looking crazy. Staring and not talking to people. You’re like, Oh shit, he about to try and do something tonight. What he on? That boy was a killer, for real. Since everything happened, that’s the one thing that remains constant when you listen to what people are saying. It’s real, bro. You ain’t seen nothing like that.

Just look at what he was doing in his second act. People work their whole lives to get an Oscar, that man came right off the bat and got an Oscar. That’s some lifetime achievement type of stuff. He did that shit right off the bat. That’s crazy. That’s like a world championship. People being doing movies for 20-30 years, got millions of dollars, did crazy movies and won all type of accolades and they still ain’t got that.

He had a whole office building. This is Kobe Bryant, the basketball player. He was on all this other creative shit. Ain’t a basketball in sight. He was a businessman. He was a beast. Think about it, he was writing books. My 15-year-old, he comes and asks me to buy the [Wizenard] book. Kids [usually] ask for toys and games. Kobe was impacting the youth, making them read, just because it was [him]. My kid was dead serious like, ‘Can I get the new Kobe book?’ He read all of his stuff. Anything Kobe does. He impacting kids. That’s the facts. Kobe had kids reading, wanting to read. My son likes to read, I can’t speak for any other kid, but I ain’t never have my kid ask me for a book. Kobe’s like Mike. People want to be like Kobe. I guarantee you my kid wasn’t the only one that was inspired and wanted to read what he wrote. That’s crazy. When I was 12-14, a book this thick with no pictures, all words, talking about I want it? Boy, stop. You better get me the new Playstation. My man wanted to read it. Because Kobe wrote it.

—

Alex Squadron is an Associate Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @asquad510.

Photos via Getty.

The post STORYTIME: Quentin Richardson Shares Nate Robinson Prank and More appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson’s Son Nahmier Is SHIFTY! Freshman PG from Seattle 💦

SLAM Staff — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 19:35:47 +0000

Class of 2023 point guard Nahmier Robinson was giving out buckets all summer long!

With his dad, Nate Robinson, in attendance, Nahmier showed an ability to finish at the rim and play tough perimeter defense. Peep his summer highlights in the video above!

The post Nate Robinson’s Son Nahmier Is SHIFTY! Freshman PG from Seattle 💦 appeared first on SLAM.

Mikey Williams HUGE Chase-Down Block Gets Nate Robinson HYPED! 😱

SLAM Staff — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 17:19:29 +0000

Nate Robinson is a fan of Mikey Williams. The 15-year-old hoops sensation brought the former NBA Dunk Contest champ to his feet with a nasty chase-down block at the Big Time Hoops tournament in Las Vegas.

Williams also went up against Rayvon Griffith, one of the top incoming freshman prospects in the nation.

The post Mikey Williams HUGE Chase-Down Block Gets Nate Robinson HYPED! 😱 appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson: ‘The NBA Gave Me My Depression’

Marcel Mutoni — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 11:55:44 +0000

Nate Robinson says he never experienced depression until he played in the NBA.

Robinson says the hardest thing in his life was trying to change and become someone his coaches wanted him to be.

“The hardest thing in my whole life, was dealing with 11 years in the NBA of trying to be somebody that [NBA coaches] wanted me to be.” Nate Robinson questioned himself, God and the NBA. Can he make it back? My story @BleacherReport #BRmag: https://t.co/l3g64AFzuO

— Mirin Fader (@MirinFader) June 18, 2018

The 34-year-old continues to hold out hope for another shot at playing in the League.

Per Bleacher Report:

“The NBA gave me my depression,” Robinson says. “I’ve never been a depressed person in my life.”

While in therapy, Robinson questioned himself and God. He wondered if he should have pursued football instead. He opened up about struggles few knew about, like the time, he said, [Larry] Brown allegedly referred to him daily as “the little shit.” On another occasion, Robinson came into Brown’s office, crying, telling his coach to stop demeaning him. Ten minutes later, in front of the team, Brown called Robinson “the little shit” again and shared that he had cried.

(When asked about the nature of these interactions, Brown said: “I don’t have any recollection. I don’t, I don’t know … I don’t know what I called him, to be honest with you. If I did that, shame on me. I would feel terrible about that. That’s not who I am, but I don’t want to dispute Nate.”)

In therapy, Nate was trying to figure out what he was doing wrong. “I was trying to change,” Robinson says. “Nobody would ever know the real struggles that I had to fight to try to be somebody that I wasn’t. … That was the hardest thing in my career. Not basketball, not working out. Not my children. But the hardest thing in my whole life, of my 34 years in existence on earth, was dealing with 11 years in the NBA of trying to be somebody that [NBA coaches] want me to be.”

The post Nate Robinson: ‘The NBA Gave Me My Depression’ appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Talks BIG3, Kyrie Irving’s Sneakers and Gatorade’s #TheDebut

Max Resetar — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 13:04:07 +0000

Gatorade’s all set to launch #TheDebut this Friday, a live-streaming series that will see eight high school basketball games on Twitter throughout January and February.

Nate Robinson, Baron Davis and Rachel Demita have been tapped to host the live-streams together. Demita, who’s been the host of NBA 2K TV since 2014, will be on the mic for each week and she’ll be joined by either Robinson or Davis, who will take turns hosting each week.

We caught up with Robinson, the three-time NBA Dunk Contest champ, to talk about #TheDebut, the new sneakers that he’s been feeling, Isaiah Thomas in Cleveland, keeping his NBA dream alive and the announcement that he’ll be playing in the BIG3.

SLAM: What will your role be with #TheDebut?

Nate Robinson: Interaction with the fans, commentating with the games. Pretty similar to what you see with what Reggie Miller does. Basically calling the game, getting kid’s input on the coverage of the game. How do they feel about certain things, interacting on Twitter.

SLAM: So you’re going to be all business on the air, like Reggie or Kenny Smith?

NR: I’m going to add my own creativity for sure. But for me, it’s always going to be high energy. When something cool happens, if someone gets posterized, you know I gotta step out of my seat and give the crowd what they want. So you know, just getting that energy and giving the crowd what they want, to give it back to them, I think that everyone’s going to have a good time. On top of top, interacting with the fans. Anything to get the fans going and rocking.

SLAM: What does this kind of opportunity do for the kids that are going to be playing?

NR: I’m just jealous that I didn’t get the opportunity to be able to have my high school games broadcast like this. I would’ve gave people a great, great show. But for them, they get exposure. They get their name out there. People know who you are. Back in the day, when we were in high school, nobody knew. You had to be there. Here, they get the opportuneity to broadcast their stuff all over the world. Everybody can see it.

SLAM: You’ve seen a lot of great NBA players when they were in high school. Growing up out there in the Northwest, you got to see Jamal Crawford, Isaiah Thomas, Dejounte Murray, Michael Porter Jr, Brandon Roy and of course yourself. Who do you think had the nastiest high school career out of those guys?

NR: That’s tough because I was there when Jamal scored 43 in the state championships. I was watching Isaiah Thomas kill Franklin. He had 50-something in the tournament. But two players that I’ve seen and that I’ve played with were Lodrick and Rodrick Stewart. They played at USC. People won’t know who they are. But they were top ranked guys, next to LeBron James in high school. They were the best in the West coast. And nobody ever heard of them. We didn’t have a platform like what you guys are getting right here.

SLAM: Are they playing overseas now?

NR: One just had a new son, Lodrick. And Rodrick, he’s in the community here in Washington, helping the youth. Him and his other brother are coaches. They’re in the community doing great things. It would’ve just been good for people to actually know who they are. From what I seen with my eyes, them being in high school, the things that they were doing. Jumping over people, between the legs, reverse, behind-the-back. And I got to see that. And it was pretty cool that I got to play with two of the best players in the country on my team.

SLAM: Will you and Baron get on the court at all, do any light work out there?

NR: I don’t know, but whatever it is that we can feed off the fans. We’re just going to play it by how the fans are feeding off of us.

SLAM: It was just announced that you’re going to be playing in the BIG3. Have you heard of anyone else that’s also signing up to play?

NR: I’m not sure if BD played, but he’s playing. He has my guy, Carlos Boozer, playing. I heard Big Baby Davis is playing. He saw me put my name in so he got in. I want the guys to come back and play, guys like Kobe. It’d be cool to see Kobe, Paul Pierce. Old school guys like that. They really can still ball if they want to play three-on-three. That’d be cool.

SLAM: You’ve got to be pretty excited, right?

NR: I’m very excited. I wouldn’t say that I’m upset that I can’t show my talents in the NBA, which I want to do. Hopefully again one day because I’m in great shape. But I just want to give the fans what they want to see. I want to give that to myself. I want to give them the gift of playing hard, having fun, making shots, playing defense, blocking shots, dunking. I want to give them what they want to see. I talked to Ice Cube and he’s excited. It’s going to be fun, man.

SLAM: Where does all that passion you play with come from?

NR: I watched my mom. My mom is a one-foot dynamite. She’s a little lady, but she packs a mean punch. But her energy, as a kid, watching her raise three children on her own. Or work three, four jobs, not complain about nothing. Just go. Being a parent now I have so much more respect for her. So I play with that same fire. I’ve learned from the best person in the world to learn from, from a little lady. She’s the people’s champ here. Everybody loves my mom.

SLAM: Have you been talking to Isaiah Thomas throughout the season?

NR: Not really. Zeke, once he’s focused and he’s into his craft, he’s locked in. That Mamba Mentality. He has that. The Force is strong with him.

SLAM: You’re a real big sneakerhead. Are there any new joints that have caught your eye?

NR: Yeah, man, the new Russell Westbrooks. He had some blue ones on that were unbelievable. Those new Westbrooks, those are one of my favorites. Those and the Kyrie Irvings. The new 4s. Me and my son waited in line to go buy those, just because. Uncle Drew, what he’s doing, I just love him. I love his game. I love his sneakers. He’s making them affordable for kids to actually go and get a couple of pairs.

SLAM: He didn’t hook you up with the plug? You’re in the Uncle Drew movie.

NR: Nah, he had a pair for everybody. These are the ones that I wanted, had to go buy them with my kid.

—

See below for #TheDebut’s full schedule, tipping off this Friday:

Jan. 19 – Spartanburg vs. Shannon Forest Christian (SC)
Jan. 20 – Vermont vs. Tilton (VT)
Jan. 23 – Apple Valley vs. Lakeville South (MN)
Jan. 25 – Simeon vs. Curie (IL)
Jan. 27 – Montverde Academy vs. TBD
Feb. 2 – IMG Academy v Florida Prep (FL)
Feb. 8 – Windward v Crossroads (CA)
Feb. 23 – Findlay Prep vs AZ Compass (NV)

The post Nate Robinson Talks BIG3, Kyrie Irving’s Sneakers and Gatorade’s #TheDebut appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Posterized Shaq On Set at the Uncle Drew Movie

SLAM Staff — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 20:33:48 +0000

Nate Robinson found a quiet moment during the filming of the upcoming Uncle Drew movie in Atlanta to hilariously catch an oblivious Shaq with a one-handed dunk.

.@nate_robinson really dunked on @SHAQ pic.twitter.com/Sz4nSZI3QR

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) September 7, 2017

This is the second time little Nate’s caught Shaq sleeping. He dunked on him back in 2010 at Celtics practice. Watch the always-comical NateRob in the videos above and below.

The post Nate Robinson Posterized Shaq On Set at the Uncle Drew Movie appeared first on SLAM.

Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson Ball Out at Battle At The Boarder Pro Am

Reed Wallach — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 19:44:32 +0000

Jamal Crawford and his Seattle-based team, Crawsover, took its talents up to Vancouver, British Columbia to take on a Canadian team led by Robert Sacre. Crawford played in the event last year, but this year he brought reinforcements, such as Nate Robinson.

Robinson may have stole the show as he dropped 37 points, grabbed 7 boards and dished out 6 assists en route to the victory over Sacre’s squad. Crawford played the role of facilitator and stroked it from long range. Check out Crawford’s highlights below.

Courtesy of Ball Don’t Stop

The post Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson Ball Out at Battle At The Boarder Pro Am appeared first on SLAM.

Carlos Boozer: Nate Robinson Would ‘Bake Us Cupcakes for The Road’

Ryne Nelson — Tue, 30 May 2017 21:11:13 +0000

Nate Robinson only spent one season with the Bulls, but he made a lasting impression on fans and teammates alike while in Chicago.

Former Bull Carlos Boozer recently called Nate his favorite teammate of all time, adding that the 5-9 guard would bake the team cupcakes before every road trip.

Here’s Boozer talking about his former teammate on FS1’s “The Hang”:

“My favorite teammate was Nate Robinson in Chicago. Great teammate. Never got hurt, never complained.

“And a fun fact about Nate Robinson if you guys aren’t Nate Robinson fans, every road trip, he baked us cupcakes for the road.

“Straight up. The best teammate I’ve ever had.”

Do a little digging, and Boozer’s story is true.

Back in December of 2012, Booz posted a photo of Nate’s cupcakes with the caption, “Bomb Cupcakes Compliments Of @naterobinson!!! Most Thoughtful Team Mate Ever!!!”

The post Carlos Boozer: Nate Robinson Would ‘Bake Us Cupcakes for The Road’ appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Entering D-League Player Pool

SLAM Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 03:07:32 +0000

Nate Robinson has ramped up his efforts to get back to the NBA. The 32-year-old entered his name in the D-League’s player pool. He can be selected by one of the five teams that hold priority on the waiver wire, or, if he clears waivers, he can sign with a team. Robinson has been campaigning for the Cavs, or any team, to sign him.

He told us last April that his main focus was on football, but when that didn’t work he shifted his attention back to the hardwood. According to The Vertical, Robinson is serious about returning to the League:

Robinson on Thursday signed a contract with the NBA Development League, his agent, Herman Manakyan, told The Vertical. Robinson will formally enter the D-League’s available player pool once his letter of clearance returns from Israel, where he played for Hapoel Tel Aviv last season. Oklahoma City, Erie, Texas, Fort Wayne and Grand Rapids hold the top priorities in the D-League waiver order.

Robinson last played in two games for the Pelicans in October, 2016. His last bucket in the NBA came in March, 2015. He holds careers averages of 11 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds in his 11 years as a pro.

The post Nate Robinson Entering D-League Player Pool appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Wants the Cavs to Sign Him

Marcel Mutoni — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 12:55:26 +0000

Free agent guard Nate Robinson says that the Cleveland Cavaliers should give him a call.

Robinson, 32, would also be happy to join the Philadelphia Sixers (who he recently worked out for), OKC Thunder or the Golden State Warriors.

.@nate_robinson explains the importance of "smiling through the bullsh*t" in our exclusive interview. https://t.co/Lmxv6JokxL pic.twitter.com/jY1KZhj212

— HYPEBEAST Sports (@hypebeastsports) January 17, 2017

If he can’t land an NBA gig, Robinson has his sights set on opportunities in Europe and China.

Per HYPEBEAST:

LeBron was just in the news talking about the Cavs needing a point guard.

Robinson: “Yeah, but I don’t understand why they wouldn’t hit me up. I don’t know why they don’t like me, man. I’m the most hated.”

Is there any team you’d want to play for?

Robinson: “I’d play on any team: Philly, Cleveland, Thunder, even the Warriors need scoring off the bench. I’ll go anywhere, it doesn’t matter.”

The post Nate Robinson Wants the Cavs to Sign Him appeared first on SLAM.

2016 Kick & Roll Classic Recap (PHOTOS + VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 17:04:39 +0000

Noted sneakerhead and SLAM contributor George Kiel hosted his third annual Kick & Roll Classic in Austin, TX last weekend. The event includes a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a chance to show off your best sneakers, while raising awareness and money for colon cancer. Nate Robinson even stopped by to say what’s up this year.

Check out photos of the best sneakers up top and a video down below for some of the action on the court.

To get involved with George and help the cause, head over to the official website for the Kiel Colon Cancer Foundation.

Who rocked the best kicks this year? Let us know in the comments section.

The post 2016 Kick & Roll Classic Recap (PHOTOS + VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson: ‘Right Now My Main Focus is Basketball, Getting Back in the NBA’

Abe Schwadron — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 16:05:53 +0000

Nate Robinson hasn’t played in the NBA in almost a full year, and all of the headlines with his name in them recently have been about his interest in playing professional football, not basketball. But Robinson, 32, told SLAM over the weekend that getting back in the NBA is his priority.

The three-time NBA Slam Dunk Champion last played for the New Orleans Pelicans in October of last year, before spending the bulk of the 2016 season tearing up the Israeli League. Earlier this month, ESPN reported that Nate was working with Odell Beckham Jr. and DeSean Jackson’s trainer to work on molding himself into an NFL wide receiver.

On Saturday, Robinson was in Austin, TX for the third annual Kick & Roll Classic, a sneaker-themed 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament hosted by the Kiel Colon Cancer Foundation.

He was rocking an iced-out Seahawks chain and a University of Washington hat (the college where he starred as both a high-flying guard on the basketball court and a ball-hawking defensive back on the football field). So we caught up with him briefly to see where his head is at in terms of the NFL vs. the NBA, and to get his thoughts on the biggest NBA storyline of the summer.

https://twitter.com/KickRollClassic/status/751907743900930048

On his tryout earlier this summer with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks:

I had a workout with the Seahawks. I just want to thank them, the whole organization, the coaches, everybody for giving me a shot to be on the field again. For me, just that alone was enough for me as a former football player—and a dream come true because you know, not too many people get to say they worked out at the Seahawks facility. Super Bowl champs at one time. Our city’s been dying for a team to be that good. We had the Sonics that were good, we had the Mariners that were good, now we have the football team, and hopefully we can just keep it going.

On whether he’s expecting another call from the Seahawks this fall:

Hopefully in August, some time, something happens. If not, right now my main focus is basketball, getting back in the NBA. Just trying to change a couple—tweak some of the things that they need me to tweak that they say is “off the court problems” or whatever it is. I just want to show them that I put in the work. I’m one of the hardest working NBA guys that’s out there, and I think I deserve another shot to show that I can be everything that people saw when I was in Chicago.

On Kevin Durant’s decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors:

I love it. I love how he stirred up the mix. LeBron did it, and a lot of guys are going elsewhere. The NBA is the NBA. You have a job. You’re always on the road, that’s how I look at it. I played on six or seven different teams, there’s only a few guys that get the opportunity to play for one organization their whole career. And you see it’s Kobes, it’s Tim Duncans, it’s the Dirk Nowitzkis, it’s guys like that who stay with one organization. For me, I just think when you play for multiple teams, you just get a bigger fan base. Some people will hate you for leaving but I think it’s a great move.

Look out for more from Nate, and from the Kick & Roll Classic, in this summer’s print issue of KICKS—coming soon.

The post Nate Robinson: ‘Right Now My Main Focus is Basketball, Getting Back in the NBA’ appeared first on SLAM.

Report: Nate Robinson is Trying Out For the Seattle Seahawks

SLAM Staff — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 20:51:08 +0000

Yep, you read that headline right: Nate Robinson is trying out as a defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks. Robinson had expressed interest in playing in the NFL seriously earlier this year, and he could be the first person to jump to the NFL from the NBA if he makes the cut. Think he’s got a real shot?

Here’s more, from Master Tesfatsion and Mark Maske of the Washington Post:

Former NBA point guard Nate Robinson tried out for the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, according to two people close to the situation. Robinson tried out with the team as a defensive back. It’s his first tryout with an NFL team as the 32-year-old has previously expressed interest in pursuing an NFL career.

It appears unlikely that the Seahawks will sign Robinson immediately, but the two sides will stay in touch.

Robinson, a Seattle native, last played football at the University of Washington in 2002. He played in all 13 games at cornerback, starting in the final six games of the season, before dropping the sport and focusing on basketball. Robinson also played both sports at Rainier Beach High, totaling 21 touchdowns and more than 1,700 total yards as a senior.

Drafted 21st overall in the 2005 NBA draft, Robinson has spent 11 seasons in the league with eight teams and averaged 11 points per game in 618 games. He had a brief stint with the New Orleans Pelicans this season that lasted two games. The three-time NBA slam dunk champion signed with Hapoel Tel-Aviv in March and averaged 16.2 points in 14 games.

The post Report: Nate Robinson is Trying Out For the Seattle Seahawks appeared first on SLAM.

In Stride

Max Resetar — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 20:30:09 +0000

Nate Robinson has been putting on for his city ever since he stepped into the spotlight way back in 2006. That was when he won his first Dunk Contest in a New York Knicks uniform, beating out Andre Iguodala. The kid from Seattle was on fire, gaining national attention, 3,000 miles away from home.

“New York City, man,” Robinson says. “New York City been showing me so much love, playing with the Knicks. I didn’t understand it, until years later. The city, they loved me, they respected me for the hard work I put in. Everything I did, I wanted to represent first and foremost my city in Seattle, WA, and playing for the Knicks, I was welcomed in for playing in New York. I felt like I was from the city. They pretty much started me on my quest.”

Robinson’s quest has been long. From his roots in Seattle, he’s played for the Knicks, Celtics, Thunder, Warriors, Bulls, Nuggets, Clippers and Pelicans. That’s a lot of jerseys and a lot of memorable moments. Seriously, go back and YouTube some of his greatest hits. And not just the three Dunk Contest wins (more on that in a bit).

Now Nate Rob is playing in Tel Aviv, Israel, for Hapoel, where he says he’s having a blast. “I love it here,” Robinson says. “It’s surprisingly super hot. There are a lot of palm trees, beaches, the water’s crazy. The world seems so small from social media, but the world’s a big place. It’s beautiful.”

The latest part of Robinson’s quest includes a dip into the business world. He’s part of the ever-growing Strideline, a Seattle-based sock company. Robinson was introduced to the Strideline crew through his brother, who went to college with the co-founder of the biz. After seeing the Pocket Sock up close, Nate says he and the company connected because of their shared ideals, developed in the Emerald City.

“They believe in what I bring from being out of Seattle and being a home guy, being from the 206 and representing what they believe. They believe in hard work, dedication, fun, swag, a whole bunch of great things. They pretty much saw that in me,” Robinson says.

That Seattle pride. A staple of not only Nate, but all the other NBA players to come from the Pacific Northwest. It comes from, Nate says, people not really taking his city seriously. He rattles off the names. Jimi Hendrix, Bill Gates, Jamal Crawford. It’s also about letting the kids and the community know that it’s OK to have dreams and ambitions. That he was once a kid in Seattle, running around the city just like they are.

“That’s something that every kid growing up, especially in the ’90s, your mom gave you a couple dollars to go to the store or chill with your friends,” he continues. “You put your money in your sock. To come up with the pocket sock idea, I thought it was genius.”

After working together with the design team, Robinson says the socks that he and Strideline are about to produce provide just the right amount of comfort and style.

“Socks represent yourself,” Robinson says. “Who you are, what you stand for, what kind of personality you have. You gotta have a fresh pair of socks on with a fresh pair of kicks. That’s just my rule.

“Comfort was a biggie,” he continues. “The socks are extremely comfortable. And the way it looks, being presentable. Like Deion Sanders said, ‘You look good, you play good.’”

At his peak, that quote applied to Nate to an extreme level. Back in the ’09 Dunk Contest, little Nate jumped up and over big Dwight Howard. This was when Dwight was the best center in the NBA and people were calling him Superman. When Nate came out with the green Knicks jersey and the neon green Nike Foams, well, KyrptoNate both looked and felt good.

His bunnies helped the Dunk Contest stay afloat, something that few others have been able to accomplish since Nate last won in 2010. Until this year, of course.

“They brought the Dunk Contest back,” Robinson says. “It was down for a little bit. What Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon were doing was unbelievable, man. It should’ve been a tie. I’m glad Zach won, he’s representing Seattle, but that was a Dunk Contest for the ages. They should’ve had two trophies for both of them guys. My kids were going crazy. I was in awe.”

Nate Rob doesn’t think the decline of the Contest is solely on the dunkers. He wants the League to loosen the reigns a little.

“They gotta find the best athletes in the NBA that can jump and just let them go out and dunk,” the three-time Champ says. “There are just too many rules with the Dunk Contest. It needs to be a little more loose and freelance. When you’re in the gym with your boys, after you hoop, guys always used to just throw the ball and just start dunking. That’s where your creativity comes from.”

He also wants music to play during each dunk, something that the participants pick. If he was still in the Contest, he’d pick a (censored) Migos song. “They get you hype, they get you full of energy, full of bounce, ready to go, ready to get it in,” he says about the trio from Atlanta.

Nate’s all ready to give the NFL a legit shot after he gets home in June, but he says he also knows his NBA days aren’t over. “There are a couple coaches that just got called up, so who knows? If a coach can get back, I can get back. Just a matter of time.”

The post In Stride appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Wants to Play in the NFL (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 19:16:58 +0000

Nate Robinson was once a two-sport star at the University of Washington, a point guard on the hoops team and a cornerback on the football team—he had two picks and 30+ tackles his freshman season, starting almost half the team’s games. After becoming a first-round pick in the NBA, he gave up football. But after sitting out most of this season as a free agent, his basketball career might be over. Which has Nate Rob thinking… what about the NFL?

In the video above, Robinson describes his serious desire to play in the NFL, and he’s got co-signs from NFL tight end Marcedes Lewis and NBA stars like Jamal Crawford and Glen “Big Baby” Davis among others. He’s still only 5-9, 180 pounds, but when has that ever stopped him before? Peep the video above and let us know if you think the 3-time Dunk Champion could seriously compete in the NFL in the comments section below.

The post Nate Robinson Wants to Play in the NFL (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

New Orleans Pelicans Waive Nate Robinson

SLAM Staff — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 00:42:37 +0000

The Pelicans need help at point guard, and Nate Robinson will not be the man to provide it.

The Pelicans released Robinson on Thursday, two days after he started against the Warriors in the season opener.

New Orleans is expected to sign Toney Douglas, who appeared in 12 games off of the bench for the Pelicans last season.

From NOLA.com:

In somewhat of a suprising move, the New Orleans Pelicans released veteran point guard Nate Robinson on Thursday, two days after he started against the Golden State Warriors in the season opener.

But backup point guard Ish Smith, who was signed on Monday, clearly outperformed Robinson on opening night and against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

The Pelicans’ roster now stands at 14 and there is a chance Pelicans general manager Dell Demps could look to fill the final spot roster with another point guard. ESPN reported that the Pelicans are interested in signing journeyman guard Toney Douglas, who was waived by the Indiana Pacers on Monday.

The post New Orleans Pelicans Waive Nate Robinson appeared first on SLAM.

New Orleans Pelicans to Sign Nate Robinson

Marcel Mutoni — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:10:54 +0000

The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly finalizing a one-year deal with free agent point guard Nate Robinson.

It's a one-year veteran minimum deal for Nate Robinson with New Orleans, which also signed Euroleague ace Bo McCalebb to fortify backcourt

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) October 15, 2015

Pelicans guard Norris Cole is suffering from a high-ankle sprain, which may keep him out for up to six weeks.

Robinson, 31, split time between the Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers last season.

Per ESPN:

Robinson will land a one-year deal for the veterans minimum, sources say.

He will join Euroleague star Bo McCalebb as recent additions to New Orleans’ backcourt after the loss of Cole and with Jrue Holiday on a minutes restriction.

The post New Orleans Pelicans to Sign Nate Robinson appeared first on SLAM.

Report: Nate Robinson Considering Playing in China

SLAM Staff — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 14:23:09 +0000

Nate Robinson could go the China route if he doesn’t find a home in the NBA this season.

According to David Pick of Basketball Insiders, Nate is considering an offer from the Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Source: Nate Robinson – with 648 NBA showings – mulling offer from Sichuan Blue Whales, China.

— David Pick (@IAmDPick) September 5, 2015

The post Report: Nate Robinson Considering Playing in China appeared first on SLAM.

WATCH: Jamal Crawford Shows Out at Isaiah Thomas’ Tournament

Marcel Mutoni — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 15:55:45 +0000

Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas held his second annual “Memorial Day Zeke-End Basketball Tournament” in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington.

Jamal Crawford was one of several NBAers in the building, and despite hooping in a pair of jogging pants, the eternally-flashy LA Clippers guard put on a show.

Nate Robinson, Brian Scalabrine and Kelly Olynyk (who was briefly victimized by a Crawford nutmeg) all showed up as well.

(H/T: EOB, r/NBA)

The post WATCH: Jamal Crawford Shows Out at Isaiah Thomas’ Tournament appeared first on SLAM.

Report: Clippers Signing Nate Robinson to 10-Day Contract

SLAM Staff — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 19:30:34 +0000

The LA Clippers are 40-22, 2nd in the Pacific Division and currently No. 5 in the Western Conference standings. And today, they’ve reportedly added what they hope is the missing piece to the puzzle, signing free agent guard Nate Robinson to a 10-day contract.

From Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports, and Matt Barnes of the LA Clippers, via Twitter:

The Clippers will sign free agent guard Nate Robinson to a 10-day contract, a source told Yahoo Sports.

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) March 7, 2015

https://twitter.com/matt_barnes22/status/574278267953270784

Image via Getty

The post Report: Clippers Signing Nate Robinson to 10-Day Contract appeared first on SLAM.

Report: Bulls Discussing Possible Return With Nate Robinson

Marcel Mutoni — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 16:25:35 +0000

As the city of Chicago reels from the latest Derrick Rose knee injury, the Bulls are said to be negotiating with fan-favorite Nate Robinson about a possible return.

A date has yet to be set for surgery to repair a torn meniscus in Rose’s right knee.

Talks between the free agent Robinson and Chicago are reportedly exploratory at the moment; he spent the past two seasons with the Denver Nuggets and was bought out following a trade to the Boston Celtics.

Per RealGM:

Discussions have yet to advance, but the Bulls were made aware Tuesday night that Robinson has a strong desire to sign with the franchise. Robinson is a natural fit for the roster, familiar with its core players and coaching staff.

Chicago has entered planning mode, with some hope that Derrick Rose can still return this season from a torn meniscus in his right knee. Even if Rose misses a possible minimum of four weeks, there’s belief the Bulls could hold firm on their current 14-man roster.

Robinson had the most complete and dynamic campaign of his 10-year NBA career as a reserve guard for the Bulls in 2012-13, averaging 13.1 points and 4.4 assists in all 82 regular season games. The 30-year-old had helped lead the Bulls to a Eastern Conference semifinal behind three 20-plus point performances in the 2013 postseason.

The post Report: Bulls Discussing Possible Return With Nate Robinson appeared first on SLAM.

Boston Celtics Buyout Nate Robinson

Marcel Mutoni — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 18:15:07 +0000

The second Nate Robinson Era in Beantown lasted less than 24 hours.

After acquiring Nate in exchange for Jameer Nelson, the Boston Celtics have reportedly completed a buyout of Robinson’s $2.1 million deal, making him a free agent:

Celtics, Nate Robinson reach buyout agreement to make him a free agent, per source. Robinson was traded to Boston Tuesday for Jameer Nelson.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) January 14, 2015

The Celtics have competed the buyout of Nate Robinson, I'm told, after he was traded from Denver yesterday.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 14, 2015

The post Boston Celtics Buyout Nate Robinson appeared first on SLAM.

Nuggets Trade Nate Robinson to Celtics for Jameer Nelson

Marcel Mutoni — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 15:30:14 +0000

According to multiple reports, Boston and Denver have agreed to terms on a trade of point guards Jameer Nelson and Nate Robinson.

The Celtics are expected to cut ties with Robinson, buying out the remainder of his $2.1 million contract.

Per Yahoo! Sports:

If Robinson clears waivers, the Los Angeles Clippers could be a candidate to sign him. The Clippers previously had talks with the Nuggets about Robinson, sources said.

Nelson, 32, began the season with the Dallas Mavericks and came to Boston in the Rajon Rondo trade last month. He is averaging 6.8 points and 4.4 assists in 29 games this season. He missed the past five games with the Celtics with an ankle injury, but is expected to soon return to the court. He is making $2.7 million this season and has a $3.2 million player option for next season.

Robinson, 30, is averaging 5.8 points and 2.3 assists in 33 games this season.

The post Nuggets Trade Nate Robinson to Celtics for Jameer Nelson appeared first on SLAM.

Q+A: Nate Robinson

Christopher Cason — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 18:17:44 +0000

Nate Robinson has played for six teams in his 10-year NBA career. Even with putting up better numbers at other stops, he considers the 2012-13 season with the Chicago Bulls to be the best of his career.

While Bulls’ fans, along with everyone else, waited on The Return that never came, Robinson gave those in the city a reason to keep coming to games and tuning in. You never knew what he was going to do, but you could be sure no matter what it was, he was going to go all out in doing so, and the energy he brought was contagious for a time that otherwise had little to no spark.

His best game for the team he grew up watching was easily the historic 34-point performance in a triple-overtime Game 4 win over the Brooklyn Nets during the first round of the 2013 Playoffs. Robinson’s 23 points in the fourth quarter were second only to Michael Jordan in a Bulls’ playoff game, and his 34 set a franchise post-season record for a reserve. Oh yeah, he did all of this in 29 minutes.

With the way the city embraced him on and off the court, and his play proving he could be an integral part on a team with championship hopes, Robinson was hopeful that Chicago would be a place he would be for a long time. But it wasn’t to be, as the Bulls never made him an offer that summer, and he had to wait a long time before the Denver Nuggets signed him to a two-year deal.

In checking into Monday night’s pre-season game between the Nuggets and Bulls in Chicago, Robinson received a loud and meaningful ovation. He saluted the crowd and said it was hard not to notice all the “We miss you Nate” signs inside of the United Center. On just the next play after checking in, he nailed a 35-foot, desperation fallaway as the shot clock was expiring—the ball finding nothing but net and drawing a joyful WTF reaction from everyone in attendance.

Robinson is still playing his way back into shape, recovering from knee surgery in to repair a torn left ACL he suffered in late January.

SLAM caught up with Robinson—aka Uncle Lights, which is his character from the Pepsi Uncle Drew series and the name tag displayed on top of his locker—to talk the love from Chicago, his rehab and Nate’s Wings and Waffles.

SLAM: Reception from United Center fans when you checked in?

Nate Robinson: It [gave] me chills, man, just a flashback of that season I had here—it was awesome. The fans still show a lot of love. That’s just how Chicago does. They know how to treat their players. I really appreciated it and I’m honored. I have a special place in my heart for Chicago. I don’t know what it is about it. [That 2012-13 season] was probably the best season I’ve had in my career. It was very memorable.

SLAM: The torn left ACL (suffered on January 29) was your first significant injury of your career. How has the rehab process been for you?

NR: I still gotta lot of work to do. I haven’t played in seven months—a lot of rust, coverages that I missed, boxing out and all the little things. I have to go back to the drawing board and get that swagger back. But I’m right around the corner. I’m real excited. I’m happy with how my surgery went, how my rehab turned out, and I’m just looking forward to playing and getting better and better every day.

SLAM: With how much you love the game and hate being idle, how was not being able to play and re-learning basic things to be able to get back to this point?

NR: I know exactly what D-Rose felt like. It was tough, just the mental part, knowing that you have to do the same thing every day to strengthen your knee during the rehab process. You can’t really run, you’re getting shots up but after awhile—to keep it 100—it gets boring. But you can never get bored with success, being successful and getting your knee back to where you feel comfortable with playing. I really just took my time and just attacked it in a way where—now that I’m back, and I can still play at a high level—it just feels great.

SLAM: For Derrick, the time off did allow him to spend a lot of time with his son. You have three children, who are older and more aware of what’s going on with what you do. How did having them around help with those tedious days of rehab?

NR: I didn’t start running until…I want to say August. That’s when I really started to do my running and being active with my kids, taking them to the park, chasing them. My daughter would say, “Daddy, you’re slow. I can beat you now.” She’s my princess, so she gets away with that. It was just a challenge [at first], knowing that my kids are there supporting me, being patient in knowing that dad can’t jump on the trampoline, can’t really get out and run and do things like that. But they were patient and really helped me get through the process with them just being kids and me supporting them—taking them to my workouts and letting them see how hard daddy has to work to get back in shape. They took a liking to that, my sons wake up every morning, they give me pushups, situps and do their squats and all of that. So, I kind of trained them to do exactly what I do every day, and it’s showing off because in football, they do their thing. So that’s pretty cool—me being pops and being there for my children, that’s definitely a blessing, and it helped me out a lot with my knee.

SLAM: You opened Nate’s Wings and Waffles last month in your hometown. Where did the interest come from to open a restaurant?

NR: I’ve been a fan of Roscoe’s for so long. I just really wanted to bring something to Seattle that nobody had, and I wanted to do my own thing. So I came up with Nate’s Wings and Waffles, and it’s a pretty big success right now with the way it’s moving. It’s just something I wanted to keep there for my friends and family back home. They really show a lot of love, people go in all the time. It’s right by my high school, and down the street from where I grew up. It just makes me feel right at home by doing that and making people happy in a whole other way besides just playing basketball. It’s just great. A lot of my fans in Chicago say they want one here, so that might be coming up next.

The post Q+A: Nate Robinson appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Swishes a 40-Foot Turnaround (VIDEO)

Marcel Mutoni — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 13:10:43 +0000

With the shot clock expiring late in the third quarter, Nate Robinson casually tossed in a 40-footer against the Chicago Bulls.

Bulls supporters couldn’t get too mad about Robinson’s heave, as they got the 110-90 preseason win Monday night, and welcomed back the fan favorite.

The post Nate Robinson Swishes a 40-Foot Turnaround (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Chris Paul Joins Jamal Crawford at the Seattle Pro-Am (VIDEO)

Marcel Mutoni — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 15:25:38 +0000

LA Clippers teammates Chris Paul and Jamal Crawford put on a show at the Seattle Pro-Am Friday night. Shouts to Crawford’s wife Tori Lucas, as the midnight pickup run took place hours before their wedding.

The post Chris Paul Joins Jamal Crawford at the Seattle Pro-Am (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Is Dunking Again (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 21:38:03 +0000

Nate Robinson posted a video on Instagram of himself dunking at his outdoor court in Seattle on Friday with the caption, “New me coming soon.” Very impressive, considering Robinson had surgery to repair his torn left ACL on January 31.

He’s not quite there yet, though:

The post Nate Robinson Is Dunking Again (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Releases Trailer to His Autobiography (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 16:57:28 +0000

Nate Robinson recently released his autobiography, Heart Over Height, which chronicles Robinson’s time in the League and his life outside of it. The book is available now on Amazon and features interviews with Isiah Thomas and Spud Webb, among others. Check out the trailer for the book above.

The post Nate Robinson Releases Trailer to His Autobiography (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Stars in Taco Bell Commercial (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 19:15:58 +0000

Lil’ Nate Robinson isn’t afraid of big things, least of all large tacos, as he proves in this Taco Bell commercial.

The post Nate Robinson Stars in Taco Bell Commercial (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Has Season-Ending ACL Surgery

SLAM Staff — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 17:32:51 +0000

Add another season-ending injury to this season’s growing total. Nate Robinson had surgery on Friday evening to repair a torn left ACL. Nate was injured in the first quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Bobcats and managed to even jog to the locker room under his own power. Per the Denver Post:

#Nuggets G Nate Robinson has had surgery this evening to repair a torn ACL. He'll be done for the balance of the season.

— Chris Dempsey (@dempseypost) February 1, 2014

The post Nate Robinson Has Season-Ending ACL Surgery appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Out With a Sprained ACL

SLAM Staff — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 15:20:31 +0000

The Denver Nuggets announced that guard Nate Robinson won’t suit up tonight against the Toronto Raptors. An MRI Thursday revealed a sprained anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. From the press release:

Robinson, averaging 10.4 points and 2.5 assists in 44 games this season, will be evaluated again Friday to determine a course of treatment.

“When they’ve gathered as much information as they can gather, we’ll go from there,” Nuggets coach Brian Shaw said. “It’s probably safe to say he’ll miss some time.”

Robinson was injured midway through the first quarter of Denver’s game against the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday. He was making his first start of the season in place of injured point guard Ty Lawson.

The post Nate Robinson Out With a Sprained ACL appeared first on SLAM.

NBA Kicks Of The Night

SLAM Staff — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 18:17:51 +0000

[sg-gallery]

Last night, Kevin Durant debuted the Nike KD VI in black, orange and red; LeBron James laced up PEs of both the Nike LeBron XI and Nike Zoom Soldier VII; and D-Wade came correct with the Li-Ning Way of Wade 2 “Year of the Horse”. We collected photos of that heat and more in our gallery of the best sneakers from around the League. Which player’s shoe game did you like the most from last night?

Images via Getty

The post NBA Kicks Of The Night appeared first on SLAM.

NBA Kicks of the Night

SLAM Staff — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 16:20:01 +0000

[sg-gallery]

Last night, Nick Young debuted the Nike Kobe 9; Norris Cole laced up the classic Nike Air Zoom Generation; and Michael Beasley and Manny Harris stood out in Air Jordan XIs. We collected photos of that heat and more in our gallery of the best sneakers from around the League. Which player’s shoe game did you like the most from last night?

Images via Getty

The post NBA Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

Post Up: Business as Usual

SLAM Staff — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 14:00:56 +0000

by Brett Weisband | @weisband

Heat (31-12) 109, Lakers (16-27) 102

In crunch time, the Heat had the two best players on the floor, and those two closed the door on the Lakers. LeBron James (27 points, 13 rebounds, six assists) kicked it up a gear in winning time, blowing by Young for an easy layup, following that up with a difficult angle 3-pointer. With the margin at five, the ever-reliable Chris Bosh (31 points) splashed in another mid-range jumper.

You’ve probably seen all over the Internet that Miami is stuck in their annual mid-season malaise. It showed against the Lakers on Thursday, as Los Angeles managed to hang around in a game they had no business being in. Miami alternately looked dominant and lackadaisical, building double-digit leads but never putting the Lakers away for good. In the fourth quarter, L.A. got it within four points with under three minutes to go, fueled by scoring outbursts by Nick Young (19 points, 8-20 shooting) and Jodie Meeks (22 points, 4-6 on 3-pointers).

Bosh was hot all evening, raining in jumpers from all over on his way to 15-22 shooting, helping Miami to 57.7 percent shooting on the night. He was the dominant scoring force for Miami all evening as the Heat yet again played without their full complement of players. Dwyane Wade missed his fourth straight game to rest his knees, leaving the burden to Bosh and James. The Heat pounded the Lakers early, scoring 38 points in the paint in the first half alone.

Despite their obvious advantages all over the court, Miami was unable – or unwilling – to mash the gas and pull away. Part of that was the presence of Pau Gasol, who hung around the basket to score 22 points on 9-15 shooting and pull down 11 boards. Further pointing to a lack of focus by the Heat was their free throw shooting; they hit just 11 of 23 shots from the line (47.8 percent), including a 7-13 night from LeBron. Those missed free throws were a part of the picture, as was the turnover battle. Miami coughed it up 18 times, forcing just 11 from the Lakers as they tone back their hyper-aggressive trapping defense.

Despite Miami’s slump, real or not, they’ve won four of their last five. They also got 10 minutes out of Greg Oden (five points and five boards), his most this season, as he builds his basketball stamina back up.

Trail Blazers (32-11) 110, Nuggets (20-21) 105

Portland had the luxury of riding surefire All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge down the stretch. Their power forward owned the undersized Nuggets, scoring a career-best 44 points on 15-29 shooting while pulling down 13 boards. LMA netted Portland’s final 15 points, getting to the line repeatedly (14-17 overall) as he left the Nuggets no choice but to foul him to stop his mid-range jumpers from splashing in.

Through the first three quarters, Portland looked like the team many thought they’d be coming into the season. They were scoring a ton of points, but giving up even more. To be exact, 91 allowed through 36 minutes. The Blazers were able to flip the defensive switch in the fourth quarter to complete their comeback, holding Denver to 14 points on 6-19 shooting, knocking the Nuggets below 50 percent shooting for the game. The Blazers were able to overcome a poor shooting effort, as they hit just 43.2 percent from the field and 4-18 from deep.

The Nuggets used Portland’s offensive strategy early on, getting red hot from behind the 3-point line. Denver hit 7-10 triples in the first half and opened the third quarter with Randy Foye (14 points) hitting three shots from long range. Nate Robinson was one of the main aggressors early, as he had all of his 13 points in the first half, as was Ty Lawson, who had 13 and nine assists early.

As the second half wore on, Portland locked down on the perimeter. After Foye’s triplet 3-pointers, Denver didn’t hit another shot from deep. They also got harried into tons of turnovers – 19 total – and saw their point guard get shut down, as Lawson registered just two assists and no points in the second half to finish with 13 and 11. Nate Rob’s presence on the court came back to hurt Denver later on, as he got abused on the left block by Wes Matthews (24 points, 8-14 shooting), who hit two turnarounds to give Portland the lead. He airballed a 3-ball a short time later, leading to a shot clock violation for the Nuggets.

Denver got 18 points from Wilson Chandler to lead the team. While they weren’t on their games, Portland got solid efforts from Nicolas Batum, who dished out 10 assists, and Damian Lillard, who was a tidy 5-10 for his 11 points and gave the Blazers a spark at the end of the first half.

The post Post Up: Business as Usual appeared first on SLAM.

10 Best NBA Photos Of The Week

SLAM Staff — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 17:27:32 +0000

[sg-gallery]

A compilation of the NBA’s best images from the past seven days. Check out photos above from nickname jerseys to meeting President Obama, from a London visit to the Phoenix fight…and more.

Photos via Getty Images/NBAE

The post 10 Best NBA Photos Of The Week appeared first on SLAM.

NBA Kicks Of The Night

SLAM Staff — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 16:38:24 +0000

[sg-gallery]

LeBron James went retro at the Garden with the Zoom LeBron Soldier VII; Carmelo Anthony rocked the Melo M10 “Dark Powder Blue”; Nate Robinson, always great with his sneaker game, laced up the Air Jordan 12 “Gamma Blue.” We collected photos of that heat and more in our gallery of the best sneakers from around the League. Which player’s shoe game did you like the most from last night?

Photos via ESPN

The post NBA Kicks Of The Night appeared first on SLAM.

Slamadamonth, SLAM #127: Nate Robinson

SLAM Staff — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 18:40:13 +0000

Originally published in SLAM 127

For a while, it was awful.

The first few months after the summer of 2000 were not a pleasant time for Frederic Weis. At first, he didn’t leave his house at all. Then when he finally did, an untied shoelace caused him to bend down. At that exact moment, some kid came out of nowhere and vaulted over him as a classmate excitedly intoned “Il a sauté par-dessus sa tête!” They both broke into gales of laughter. Weis simply stood up and went back inside. When you’re 7-2, you just can’t hide.

But time heals all wounds, and eventually Frederic Weis was able to get on with his life. He avoided YouTube and TNT broadcasts, and started to put his career back together. The NBA was out, of course, but he played for a variety of European teams with varying degrees of success. He played for France again, earning a bronze medal in the 2005 European Championships. When the New York Knicks traded his rights to the Houston Rockets, he even managed to laugh. Progress.

Which brings us to the present day, Weis sitting in his spacious home in the Balearic Islands late on a Saturday night, watching TV. Suddenly he is struck with a desire to see Leverage, the new drama on TNT starring Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton, and changes channels without thinking.

C’est foutu.

—Russ Bengtson

The post Slamadamonth, SLAM #127: Nate Robinson appeared first on SLAM.

Mike D’Antoni Wanted Lakers to Be Angrier About Nate Robinson’s Dunks (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:40:26 +0000

The Denver Nuggets ran into the perfect opponent to help them get out of their funk — the Los Angeles Lakers’ defense was once again atrocious in a 137-115 home loss on Sunday night. Nate Robinson, en route to 21 points, had a blast repeatedly hanging on the rim following dunks, which got under head coach Mike D’Antoni’s skin (though that didn’t necessarily apply to his players.) Per the LA Daily News:

“I coached Nate. That’s Nate,” D’Antoni said, reflecting on his time with the New York Knicks. “You shrug your shoulders and go on. If I was a player I would have some thoughts. Since I’m sitting over there, it’s hard to do anything.”

D’Antoni was certainly livid with Robinson when he attempted a three-pointer on an opposing team’s basket after time expired. But the Lakers hardly reacted much to Robinson’s taunts at the rim. Then again, the Lakers hardly reacted much on defense for most of the game.

“No one is going to feel sorry for us,” D’Antoni said. “Teams are going to come in and kick us. At a certain point, you have to fight.”

The post Mike D’Antoni Wanted Lakers to Be Angrier About Nate Robinson’s Dunks (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Fined $25000 for Saying Referees Hate Him

SLAM Staff — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 19:25:08 +0000

Denver Nuggets fireplug Nate Robinson recently alleged that NBA refs hate him. The League hit him with a $25K fine on Friday for broaching the subject. From the press release: “Denver Nuggets guard Nate Robinson has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of the officiating, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations. Robinson made his comments following the Nuggets’ 97-95 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday, Nov. 29, at Pepsi Center in Denver.”

The post Nate Robinson Fined $25000 for Saying Referees Hate Him appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Says Referees Hate Him

SLAM Staff — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 15:10:22 +0000

Denver Nuggets guard Nate Robinson has a hate/hate relationship with the refs. Lil’ Nate is convinced that they’re out to get him, but that won’t change Robinson’s approach. Per the Denver Post: “Robinson picked up his second technical foul in as many games on Friday night in the Nuggets’ win over the Knicks. ‘He’s always wound up,’ Nuggets coach Brian Shaw said, with a grin that quickly faded away. ‘That’s what you get with Nate Robinson. So we just have to continue to keep working on him on that. I told him, let me deal with the referees, you just play the game. But that’s easier said than done.’ Shaw said, ‘I’m going to have to talk to him about controlling his emotions. It’s almost like he has a target on his back, and the referees are just not going to tolerate him saying anything to them at all.’ […] Robinson smirked when talking about it. ‘They hate me, they hate me,’ he said. ‘I don’t know why, but it is what it is. I already know I’ve got the target on my back, but I’ll play through it; I don’t care. I really don’t. It doesn’t bother me none. If I get a call, I get a call. If I don’t, I don’t. If I get a tech, hopefully it’s not in the fourth quarter. Hopefully I don’t get any more. But I know I will. It’s nothing new for me.'”

The post Nate Robinson Says Referees Hate Him appeared first on SLAM.

Post Up: Home Cooking

SLAM Staff — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 14:00:02 +0000

by Brett Weisband | @weisband

Thunder (8-3) 105, Clippers (8-5) 91

A night after gutting out a hard-fought win, the Clippers didn’t have enough to hang with the Thunder. Oklahoma City locked down one of the best offensive teams in the league, holding Los Angeles to just 41 percent shooting in an end-to-end W. Kevin Durant was the top scorer for OKC with an efficient 28 points (10-19 shooting) as well as 8 assists. Blake Griffin was a beast in the loss, going for 27 points and 10 boards.

OKC got off to a quick start and pushed the pace, led by none other than KD, who went 5-7 for 12 points in the first quarter. When the bench units came into the game in the second quarter, the Thunder pushed their lead, with Steven Adams (7 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Reggie Jackson (9 points) helping pave the way. The Thunder bench was crucial all night, with Adams, Jackson and Derek Fisher all finishing with plus-minus ratings of +10 or better, with Jeremy Lamb (11 points) right behind at +9. Even though Jackson didn’t crack double-digits in points, he’s shown flashes where he very much looks like the scorer the Thunder need off the bench.

By the time Russell Westbrook (12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) and KD re-entered the game, the lead was up to 12 for OKC. The chippiness that led to Serge Ibaka (17 points, 3 blocks) and Matt Barnes (out for a few weeks with an eye injury) getting tossed in the last meeting continued here. Thabo Sefolosha took a flagrant foul from Chris Paul, who threw a flying hip-check on Sefolosha’s layup attempt. CP3 (17 points, 12 dimes) got hot offensively after that, scoring 7 points in the final 3:30 of the quarter. OKC withstood that run thanks to threes by Sefolosha and Durant.

Going into half, the Thunder were up 51-43. OKC shot 47 percent in the first half, compared to just 38 percent for LA. Durant went into half with 16 points on 6-9 shooting, while Paul was about the only thing the Clippers had going for them; his 11 points and 4 assists accounted for 20 of the Clips points in the first half.

Blake got rolling in the third quarter, getting a monster dunk rolling down the lane and knocking down three jumpers in the first six minutes of the quarter, including a beautiful turnaround over Ibaka. He kept hitting throughout the third, going for 15 points on 7-10 shooting in the quarter to keep the Clippers in it. They needed every bit of Griffin’s effort, as OKC maintained a double-digit lead for much of the quarter. Ibaka, who has been fantastic in the game and a half he’s played against the Clips this season, responded with a few jump shots of his own. Things didn’t get any closer in the fourth, as OKC’s fresher legs helped them hold the Clippers down.

No surprise, but defense remained an issue for the Clippers. Despite the Thunder shooting just 4-19 from three-point land, they still gunned and slashed their way to 51.9 percent shooting overall and a 107.8 offensive rating. You know it’s getting bad for a team when Derek freaking Fisher, approximate age 56, can drive down the middle of the lane unimpeded. Where ya going, DeAndre?

(H/T @SBNation)

Nuggets (5-6) 97, Bulls (6-4) 87

Denver pulled away from the Bulls late, using a 13-0 run to start the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. Chicago missed 7-8 shots to start the period, while former Bull Nate Robinson, who scored 10 of his 11 points in the fourth, and fellow reserve Jordan Hamilton (team-high 17 points) hit four triples between them to key the run. Derrick Rose cooled off significantly after blitzing Denver in the first half, finishing with 19 points for the Bulls.

Everyone was in on the action early, with no less than 11 different players getting into the scoring column in the first quarter alone. The Nuggets got balanced scoring throughout the first half, with four players scoring between 8-10 points. Kenneth Faried (12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks) paced them with the 10, including a half-court alley oop from Ty Lawson.

(H/T r/NBA)

Carlos Boozer (15 points, 10 rebounds) continued his hot offensive start for the Bulls, hitting four shots early. Rose looked like very much like himself, getting to the basket for a couple layups before Denver’s lackluster rim protectors knew what hit them. Rose kept pouring it on in the second quarter, scoring the Bulls’ first 9 points, scoring 15 points in the first half. He finished in a crowd like it was 2011, a good sign for the Bulls. (Of note: his season high coming into the night was 20.)

Rose’s electricity on offense wasn’t enough to deter the Nuggets in the first half, as Denver tore Tom Thibodeau’s vaunted defense to shreds. The Nugs shot 52 percent in the first two quarters, getting tons of looks in the lane. Meanwhile, the Bulls bench, usually one of their strong suits, got outscored 23-3 in the first half and 49-21 for the game.

This affair ground to a halt in the third quarter, especially for Luol Deng (6 points, 3-18 from the field, 11 rebounds) and the Bulls. Chicago mustered just 14 points in the quarter, while Deng, their leading scorer, went through a waking nightmare: 1-5 shooting, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls.

Denver ended up having six players score in double digits and also blocked 10 of Chicago’s shots. While the Nugs aren’t going to match their franchise-record win total from a year ago, it’s a positive that their home court still carries some advantage.

The post Post Up: Home Cooking appeared first on SLAM.

Slamadamonth, SLAM #117: Nate Robinson

SLAM Staff — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 18:20:33 +0000

Originally published in SLAM 117

Box out.

It’s about the simplest defensive concept there is. Not rocket science. Put your body between your man and the basket so he can’t get an easy rebound/layup/dunk. It’s a form of prevent defense, as it prevents your teammates from being posterized. Slamadamonthed.

This is not the first concept to be forgotten by the Miami Heat this season, although failing to put a body on a former Slam Dunk champion is fairly unforgivable. So is being 30 games below .500, of course. It seems like they won their Championship a hundred years ago. Not that the Knicks have been much better. They haven’t had an All-Star since ’01, haven’t been to the Playoffs since ’04. Any memorable moments have been just that—moments. A highlight reel from the past four seasons combined would easily fit on a 30-minute DVD.

Some would be worth watching again and again, though. Like this one. Zach Randolph working in the low blocks, badly missing a shot against noted defensive stalwart Alexander Johnson—a typical ’08 Knicks/Heat moment—only 5-7 Nate Robinson slides through the entire alleged defense for the sneaky putback. On his first try, no less. There’s a whole lot of watching going on, and only Daequan Cook appears to be making any sort of move toward the ball.

Too late.

—Russ Bengtson

At 1:57 in the video below…

The post Slamadamonth, SLAM #117: Nate Robinson appeared first on SLAM.

Kyrie Irving is Back as Uncle Drew in Pepsi Max Ad (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 19:25:50 +0000

Here’s the latest instalment of the NBA’s best and funniest commercial series. Kyrie Irving, aka Uncle Drew, is back!

The post Kyrie Irving is Back as Uncle Drew in Pepsi Max Ad (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Fined $10,000 for Hitting Steven Adams

SLAM Staff — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 15:20:32 +0000

Denver Nuggets guard Nate Robinson is $10K poorer — he was fined for striking OKC Thunder center Steven Adams in the back and chest. From the press release: “The incident occurred with 10:59 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 109-81 loss to the Thunder on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Chesapeake Energy Arena.”

The post Nate Robinson Fined $10,000 for Hitting Steven Adams appeared first on SLAM.

Andre Drummond Works on His Game in the Airport (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 13:45:55 +0000

Nate Robinson, evidently, is a trailblazer. Now, other NBA players are copying him while going through the monotony of air travel — Andre Drummond worked on his game, without a basketball.

The post Andre Drummond Works on His Game in the Airport (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Crosses Up Strangers in an Airport (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 17:10:39 +0000

It doesn’t matter if Nate Robinson is on the court, or travelling abroad. He’s apparently always working on his game. (Shouts to the lady who tried to swipe the rock from Lil’ Nate.)

The post Nate Robinson Crosses Up Strangers in an Airport (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Kyrie Irving Scores 47 vs Nate Robinson’s 44 at Nike Pro City Game (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:20:56 +0000

Last night at the Nike Pro City run in New York City, Kyrie Irving and Nate Robinson did battle. Both guards had explosive performances, as Uncle Drew finished with 47 points (and the win in overtime) while Lil’ Nate dropped 44.

The post Kyrie Irving Scores 47 vs Nate Robinson’s 44 at Nike Pro City Game (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Lionel Messi Happy With Nate Robinson Wearing His Number 10

SLAM Staff — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 14:40:36 +0000

Word got to Leo Messi that Denver Nuggets guard Nate Robinson was going to wear the number 10 in his honor, and the soccer legend said he’s a big fan of Lil’ Nate. Per Messi’s Facebook page: “Hey man, what a great surprise to see you are using the number 10. Welcome to the ‪#‎10Team‬ – Nate Robinson, wishing you the best on your next season with the Nuggets ‪#‎NateBigFan‬.”

The post Lionel Messi Happy With Nate Robinson Wearing His Number 10 appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson to Wear Number 10 in Honor of Lionel Messi

SLAM Staff — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:55:10 +0000

With Nate Robinson now officially a Denver Nugget, the guard says he’ll honor another short and explosive athlete next season by wearing the number 10: soccer superstar Lionel Messi. Per Denver Stiffs: “Robinson on wearing the No. 10 next season in Denver: Robinson: ‘I usually dig the single digit numbers, but No. 2 is retired. Alex English, great player. He was my coach at predraft camp when I played in Chicago. He was my coach and I averaged like 22 points and 8 assists, something like that, and he was just letting me go. I was like, ‘Man, it’s a pleasure. You rocked my favorite number.’ I knew exactly who he was and I was like, ‘Man that No. 2, there is something special about it.’ I’m going to change it up and wear No. 10. I’m going to wear it for [Lionel] Messi, that’s my favorite soccer player. I’ve been playing a lot of FIFA lately and watching the games. He’s the best little guy to do it and I’ve got to be the best little guy to do it at No. 10 in the NBA. That’s my goal.'”

The post Nate Robinson to Wear Number 10 in Honor of Lionel Messi appeared first on SLAM.

Court Changes: Nate The Lil’ Nugget

SLAM Staff — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 17:07:16 +0000

This is another installment of Court Changes—a summer breakdown of trades and free-agency signings. The series will get into the motivations behind the moves and how these transactions will affect teams’ trajectories. All opinions are those of the writer.

by Jay Wallis / @JayWallis11

Nate Robinson signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Denver Nuggets.

The Denver Nuggets made this signing because: they now have a bona fide scorer off the bench who can shoot from deep.

Denver ranked second in both the regular season and postseason in terms of bench scoring last year; however, most of their scoring decided to go elsewhere (Iguodala, Brewer), isn’t likely to be back until midseason (Gallinari) or will now be in the starting lineup (Chandler, McGee). Suddenly, Andre Miller, who might even be on the move before the season starts, became Denver’s best option for offense off the bench. That’s not a reliable option. Even though newcomers Randy Foye and JJ Hickson have the potential to play this role, they have yet to show the consistent ability to be this type of instant force.

Enter Kryptonate. There may be plenty of things Robinson struggles to do well as he has been a one-dimensional player during his eight years in the League. But he excels in that one dimension. Robinson is one of the best players at exploding and scoring in bunches. He can create for himself in isolation, effectively utilize pick-and-rolls as the ball handler, hit all kinds of shots that he shouldn’t be attempting or making, and instantly change the tempo of the game.

In Derrick Rose’s absence last year, Robinson averaged 13.1 ppg in 25.4 mpg, playing in all 82 regular-season games. When Chicago had no business competing in the postseason with their severely crippled roster, their 5-9 athlete caught fire on offense and carried his Bulls to multiple victories. During the Bulls’ triple-overtime win against the Nets, Robinson gave Chicago a performance for the ages with 34 points off the bench, including 23 in the fourth quarter alone and one huge runner. Four games later, he poured in 27 points in a Game 1 upset over the reigning and future champs. He might not have finished the season strong since James and the Heat began to hone in on him as they did to Rose two seasons ago, but Robinson certainly showed that he can be a confident little guy who provides energy, entertainment and plenty of buckets.

The Nuggets also signed Robinson for the same reason they brought in sharpshooter Foye. Struggling to stretch their floor last season, Denver ranked 25th in three-point shooting, making only 34.3 percent of their shots from deep. Even though they averaged a League-best 103.0 ppg in the Playoffs, their shooting got even worse from deep (31.1 percent). Not only did Robinson shoot a career-best 40.5 percent from three-point range, he also put up 4.2 attempts per game last season. He has always given himself the green light from deep, and the Nuggets will happily allow this color to remain the same.

This is good for the Nuggets because: they will be paying Robinson well below his market value.

JR Smith, Jamal Crawford, Jarrett Jack and Kevin Martin were the top four vote-getters for Sixth Man of the Year last season and all recently signed contracts lasting four years and worth more than $20 million each. (Due to an unforeseen injury, Smith’s contract was reduced to three years, $19 million.) All of these players are known primarily for offense and bring little else to the table. Smith is the best rebounder of this group and Jack can distribute the ball—but their respective teams value them for their scoring.

Robinson is just as serviceable as any of these players. Last season, Robinson was the only one of these five to have an effective field goal percentage (eFG%), which adjusts to the fact that three-pointers are worth more, of above 50 percent in both the regular season and postseason. Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Smith failed to shoot 50 percent in both parts of the season. Furthermore, if their ’12-13 statistics are expanded to 36 minutes per game, Robinson would have scored at just as high of a rate (18.5 ppg) as all four. The only glaring difference in Robinson’s game is something he can’t control—his height.

In a League that is often driven by fair market value, the Nuggets got an absolute steal by signing their soon-to-be sixth man and sparkplug to a few million dollars a year.

This is bad for the Nuggets because: this offensive-minded team still lacks a defensive-minded anchor.

After being one of nine teams to allow over 101 ppg during the regular season, Denver gave up 107.2 ppg during six playoff games, including 131 in a Game 3 beatdown against the Warriors. That’s nauseating. This average may have been due to George Karl’s up-tempo, offensive-minded approach along with the Warriors suddenly catching fire at just the right time. No matter the reasoning behind it, if the Nuggets want to enter back into the VIP section known as the West elite, they must find a player who defines himself by his defense. And unfortunately, with the team’s second-leading shot blocker (Koufos) and best wing defender (Brewer) off the roster, the defense has gotten even worse this summer. (Also—standing at 6-8, Faried might have a highlight block or rebound occasionally, but it can’t be forgotten that he is extremely undersized at the power forward position.)

By bringing in Robinson, they are worsening this problem. Robinson really struggles on the defensive end and plays dreadful isolation defense. This weakness is one of the main reasons he is joining his sixth team in five years. He might be scrappy and work to fight through screens, but with his small stature, his explosive nature can only go so far when he is facing guards seven or more inches taller than he is. For the average NBA player, that’s the difference between a point guard and a center. This shouldn’t take away from what he brings on the other end of the floor; however, with a current roster that lacks significant defensive prowess, Robinson does little to fix this deficiency that possibly caused the Nuggets to be upset in the first round after a 57-win season.

This is good for Robinson because: placing him behind Ty Lawson in the rotation gives the Nuggets a potent and electric point guard duo.

The point guard position is arguably the most important position on the court as this player often directs the offense and establishes the flow of the game. A backup point guard doesn’t necessarily need to play the same way that his starter does, but he should be able to fit into the starter’s system as seamlessly as possible. This transition will determine the success of the second unit along with a team’s ability to hold onto a lead.

Robinson joins Lawson and gives Denver another playmaker who can create his own shot or create shots for others. This tandem is lightning quick and now gives their team the ability to run up and down the floor for 48 minutes a night. Denver used the second-most possessions in the League last year, which demonstrates their fast, sometimes frantic pace, and Robinson looks his best when things become frenzied.

He may not be the prototypical pass-first point guard, but the past two seasons, Robinson has shown an increased aptitude for using his teammates. With the Warriors two years ago, he averaged a career-best 4.5 assists. With the Bulls last year, he averaged 4.4 assists during the regular season and postseason while also effectively running the pick-and-roll. Having this speedy duo and their never-ending energy and penetration is bound to tire countless opponents.

This is bad for Robinson because: he is joining a team that already has two point guards under contract from last season and can only play alongside one of them.

(If management decides to change their mind and move Miller, this problem could be partially solved.)

Lawson and Miller have commanded the point guard position for Denver the past two seasons. They both are ball-handlers that must have the ball in their hands to successfully create for themselves and their teammates. Neither of these players work well spotting up or coming off screens; their rhythm relies on getting touches.

Robinson is a similar type of guard who isn’t necessarily a ballhog but has always been inclined to work with the ball in his hands. Unfortunately for him, there are already two returning guards who have similar needs, and there’s only one basketball for them to share. During his time in Chicago, due to Rose’s absence and the rest of his team’s offensive deficiencies, Robinson frequently took control of the offense and ran things his way for long stretches, leading to scoring flurries. It is unlikely he will get many chances to take control while in Denver, which will diminish his strengths.

Whether or not Miller remains a Nugget, the team now has two point guards under 6-feet and 200 pounds. Since Lawson has already been struggling to contain larger guards during his four years in the NBA, putting Robinson in any sort of lineup beside Lawson would be a defensive nightmare. This reduces Robinson’s minutes and impact even more because he will be restricted to mainly playing when Lawson needs a breather or is in foul trouble. And since Lawson has averaged 34.6 minutes the past two seasons, that doesn’t leave many extended minutes for his fellow tiny point guard.

This is confusing for sports analysts because: this franchise has completely transformed its identity.

Since the Nuggets won a franchise-best 57 games and took their exit in the first round for the fourth straight season, this franchise has gone through an extreme makeover—NBA edition.

Reigning Coach of the Year George Karl was the first to go, as the Nuggets front office fired their eight-year tenured coach. After being named Executive of the Year, former general manager Masai Ujiri left the Nuggets for the Raptors, and Tim Connelly was hired as his replacement. Connelly went on to hire Brian Shaw as the team’s new head coach. Iguodala took the “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” approach and signed a multi-year deal with the Warriors.

Including Robinson, the team now has six new players under contract. The team has retained their Lawson/Gallinari/Faried core and reunited Robinson with Chandler and Gallinari from their Knicks’ days, but it is still unclear what this team really is. Is this an elite team, a fringe playoff team, or a lottery-bound team? Will Shaw continue to play up-tempo or decide to slow things down? From changes in the players to the coaches all the way up to management, the Nuggets are making it difficult for others to figure them out. Robinson intensifies this ever-changing identity.

This signing will have a moderate impact on the Nuggets because: they have “that guy” who won’t be afraid to take “that shot” at the end of a game.

During last year’s Playoffs, with five minutes to go and a point differential of five points or less, few were better than Great Nate. Other than LeBron James (37), Tony Parker (31) and Kevin Durant (25), no other player scored more points than Robinson (24) during this clutch period. He made big shot after big shot for a team that didn’t have many other options on offense.

Due to this clutch play and his many late-game heroics, Robinson will force opponents to change how they defend the Nuggets toward the end of regulation. Even if they do, Robinson won’t be afraid to take the last shot—something the Nuggets have missed since Melo was shipped off to the Knicks. Lawson has had his fair share of big shots, but Robinson gives the team one more confident option down the stretch.

Unfortunately for the Nuggets, Robinson’s impact can only be so significant in a conference that already has six elite contenders that all have stood pat or gotten even better. But from a game-to-game standpoint, the Nuggets just brought in a captivating player who will never stop competing and has the fiery passion to make a city become exhausted with or fall in love with him. As Faried told NBCSports.com, “[Robinson] plays hard, he’s not afraid of a challenge, and he backs down from no one, so I respect that from him.”

He and the Nuggets will now have to fight through the ever-improving, deep Western Conference. Nate will surely be ready to fire away and accept the challenge.

I know the nba is a Business but when u build friendships with guys on the team it’s hard to say goodbye … Thanks again chitown one love

— Nate Robinson (@nate_robinson) July 22, 2013

Previously:
Court Changes: Monta Ellis Picks Dallas
Court Changes: Iggy Joins the Dubs
Court Changes: Josh Smith Going To Motown
Court Changes: Superman to Houston
Court Changes: Clippers Get Two Sharpshooters
Court Changes: Knicks Acquire Andrea Bargnani

The post Court Changes: Nate The Lil’ Nugget appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson to Sign With the Denver Nuggets

SLAM Staff — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 19:55:25 +0000

According to multiple reports, the Denver Nuggets have reached a two-year deal with free agent guard Nate Robinson. Per USA Today and the Denver Post: “Robinson is expected to sign a two-year deal by way of the Nuggets’ bi-annual salary cap exception worth $4.03 million combined, with a player option in the second season. Robinson is one of the few impact players among the remaining free agents, as he averaged 13.1 points and 4.4 assists with the Chicago Bulls in 2012-13 while filling in for injured point guard Derrick Rose. In addition to the Nuggets, Robinson was in talks with the Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks. If the deal is finalized as expected, this would be the sixth team Robinson has played for in his nine seasons. […] He made 141-of-348 (.405) 3-point attempts last season, which would rank higher than only two Nuggets — Wilson Chandler (.413) and Evan Fournier (.407) — who made more than 50 attempts in 2012-13. Robinson, 29, has a bit of history with the Nuggets. He was involved in the 2006 Nuggets-Knicks fight when Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith mixed it up with Mardy Collins and Robinson. At the 2010 all-star weekend, Robinson became the first three-time slam dunk contest winner. He also won in 2006 and ’09.”

The post Nate Robinson to Sign With the Denver Nuggets appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Autographs a Baby at NBA Summer League (PHOTO)

SLAM Staff — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 18:55:04 +0000

Free agent guard Nate Robinson attended a Summer League game between the Charlotte Bobcats and Milwaukee Bucks. At halftime, a fan asked Robinson to sign his baby, and Nate obliged. Summer League is the best.

The post Nate Robinson Autographs a Baby at NBA Summer League (PHOTO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nuggets Expressing ‘Certifiable Interest’ in Nate Robinson

SLAM Staff — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 19:49:20 +0000

After losing Corey Brewer to the TWolves, the Nuggets are expressing “certifiable interest” in signing unrestricted free agent Nate Robinson. Denver is looking to replace Brewer’s scoring off the bench. Per ESPN:

Rumble out of the Rockies: Denver Nuggets expressing certifiable interest in trying to sign free-agent PG Nate Robinson

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 13, 2013

A return to Chicago, even after Nate's playoff heroics, appears unlikely in the extreme given reservations of Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 13, 2013

The post Nuggets Expressing ‘Certifiable Interest’ in Nate Robinson appeared first on SLAM.

NBA Reportedly Fines Four Players $15K for Playing in Alumni Game

SLAM Staff — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:10:52 +0000

Four NBA players — Spencer Hawes, Quincy Pondexter, Tony Wroten and Isaiah Thomas — have each been slapped with $15,000 fines for hooping in an “unsanctioned” June 23 University of Washington alumni game at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle. Per Yahoo! Sports: “It wasn’t immediately known if several other former Washington Huskies involved in the game, including Chicago Bulls free-agent guard Nate Robinson and Toronto Raptors guard Terrence Ross, were subject to the fines. Washington coach Lorenzo Romar organized the game. The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement mandates that players can’t play in public offseason games prior to July 1 or after Sept. 15 without league approval.”

The post NBA Reportedly Fines Four Players $15K for Playing in Alumni Game appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Reportedly Won’t Return to the Chicago Bulls

SLAM Staff — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 18:00:09 +0000

Free agent guard Nate Robinson is likely on his way out of the Windy City, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The finances don’t work for the Chicago Bulls to retain the diminutive and explosive Robinson: “While the general manager indicated on Thursday night that the organization would like to bring back the likes of free agents-to-be Marco Belinelli, Nate Robinson and Nazr Mohammed there’s a good chance that only Mohammed is returning. According to a source familiar with the situation, Robinson and his camp have already made it clear with the Bulls that the two sides will part ways, as Robinson seeks a multi-year contract. Even if that contract isn’t made available to the point guard, a one-year deal with a team that will give him extended playing time is next on his wish list. Two requests that the Bulls cannot grant. Technically, the Bulls can’t start talking with agents until July 1, but it was made clear to Robinson on the day after the playoffs ended for him and his teammates, that with Derrick Rose expected to be up-and-running, as well as having Kirk Hinrich and Marquis Teague as backups, Robinson could see time at either guard position, but would be more of an insurance policy than leaned on for heavy minutes like he was this past season with Rose sidelined. Robinson knows that his value might never be higher coming off a season like he had, and silencing critics that he wasn’t the most coachable player in the league. You put a year in under coach Tom Thibodeau, and stay mostly dog-house free, that’s an accomplishment.”

The post Nate Robinson Reportedly Won’t Return to the Chicago Bulls appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Open to Playing for the New York Knicks Again

SLAM Staff — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:50:32 +0000

Given that his client will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, Nate Robinson’s representative is making it known that should a deal to remain in Chicago not happen, the lil’ fella wouldn’t be opposed to playing in Gotham for a second time. Per ESPN: “Nate Robinson, who will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1, would be open to returning to the Knicks, according to his agent, Aaron Goodwin. ‘Nate’s first thought would be to remain with the Bulls, but if the Knicks’ opportunity presented itself, I am sure he would appreciate an opportunity to play in New York again,’ he said. Robinson started his NBA career in New York, where he played four-and-a-half seasons before being traded to the Celtics in Feb. 2010. During his time with the Knicks, he averaged 12.5 points, 2.8 assists and nearly one steal in about 25 minutes per game. Since then, Robinson has played for the Celtics, Thunder and Warriors, and he just wrapped up his first stint in Chicago, where he became one of the top playoff performers. Without Derrick Rose and mostly Kirk Hinrich due to injuries, Robinson took the reins at starting point guard and averaged 16.3 points, 4.4 assists and one steal in 12 postseason games. He helped lead the short-handed Bulls past the Nets in seven games in the first round, and then a Game 1 upset over the Heat. […] The biggest question is: Would the Knicks be able to afford Robinson, who earned $1.15 million last season? Goodwin will likely seek a mid-level contract for his client, and the Knicks do have a taxpayer mid-level exception of $3.18 million to spend.”

The post Nate Robinson Open to Playing for the New York Knicks Again appeared first on SLAM.

Winners and Losers, Among the Losers

Leo Sepkowitz — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:43:48 +0000

by Leo Sepkowitz | @LeoSepkowitz

Only four teams remain in the Playoffs, as 12 have been knocked out. Some of those 12 teams went out in style (Warriors, Rockets), and some didn’t (Lakers, Nets). Similarly, some players on those 12 teams elevated their games in the Playoffs, even if it ultimately wasn’t enough to avoid elimination. Other guys withered with the spotlight fixed on them. Stepping up or bowing out really matters if you’re a free agent this summer, and your performance when it counts will dictate how big your next check will be. Here are five eliminated to-be free agents who will be—or should be, anyway—looked at differently because of how they played in the Playoffs.

Jarrett Jack—FA Stock Up

It’s nearly impossible to overstate how crucial Jack was to the Warriors’ success this postseason. In Playoff Clutch Time (officially defined on NBA.com as a five-point game with five minutes or less remaining), Jack’s ranks are as follows: first in field-goal percentage (minimum 5 shots), first in free throws made (8), third in points (20).

On a young and streaky team, Jack was the cold-streak-stopper. Playing behind Curry (6-25 in postseason-Clutch Time), who became a sharp-shooting decoy for most of the Spurs series due to a bad ankle, Jack ran the show and kept Golden State competitive. They actually looked like the better team for much of that series. Jack scored 20+ six times in the Playoffs. The marvelous Curry did it eight times, Klay Thompson three.

After David Lee went down in Game 1 against the Nuggets, Jack started Game 2 in his place and scored 24 points in a team-high 42.5 minutes in a Dubs’ win. In what turned out to be a heart-breaking Game 1 loss to San Antonio, Jack kept the Warriors fighting with big buckets late in regulation and overtime. Jack tied Game 4 against the Spurs with a jumper with under a minute remaining in regulation. Fittingly, it was Jack who iced that same game at the line in overtime.

Golden State ultimately fell short of getting a chance to reach the Finals, but they overachieved nonetheless. Jack, who had scored 35 points in six career Playoff games before this incredible run, was a microcosm of it all.

He’ll likely get paid starter’s money this summer, and I certainly hope the Warriors retain him. It’ll be tough with Andris Biedrins and Richardson Jefferson making roughly $20 million combined and Andrew Bogut, David Lee and Stephen Curry combining for another roughly $38 million next season, but it’s doable.

Dwight Howard—FA Stock Down

Howard caught a lot of heat for a down year—probably too much (he was battling serious injuries and an inept coach in a huge market). But the way he closed the season was terrible. Howard played alright while the Lakers were non-competitive for the first three games of the Spurs series, but no-showed before quitting in Game 4, when L.A. was officially swept from the Playoffs. He played 20 minutes, and barely had more points (7) than missed free throws (6) and turnovers (5).

He’s an elite center and will likely come back healthy and dominant defensively next season, but big questions remain about his game. His offense has not improved over the past few years and he struggles passing out of the post. Much worse, Howard’s awful free-throw shooting has rendered him essentially useless on offense down the stretch in close games. This season, he made 23-45 free throws in Clutch Time. He attempted zero such shots in the postseason because the Lakers were never within five with five minutes to go. Think about that and then ask yourself if a team with Howard as its best player can truly contend for a title.

On top of that, he’s had serious back and shoulder problems, which would make me pretty nervous about giving him a max contract. I’m not saying Howard won’t get max money this summer, but I wouldn’t be the guy committing to paying D12 roughly $22 million per year (more than one-third of the salary cap) in the ’16-17 and ’17-18 seasons.

Nate Robinson—FA Stock Up

What an unbelievable Playoff run for Nate. He dropped 34 in a ridiculous comeback effort in Game 4 of Round 1 against the Nets. Then he was huge in Game 1 against Miami with 27, leading the Bulls to an upset win to start the series. We saw some bad Nate, too (0-13 in Game 4 against the Heat), but the awesome Nate out-shined the bad.

Everybody knew Robinson was an instant offense guy, but leading a comically injured Chicago team to a first-round upset and a mostly competitive series against Miami changed my perception of the 5-9 (maybe) guard. And since I can’t go more than a few paragraphs without referring to Clutch Time numbers (seriously, I can’t), here are more. In the Playoffs, Robinson played 30 Clutch minutes. He scored 24 points, which trailed only Kevin Durant (who needed 5 more shots to get there). His 47.4 percent shooting in Clutch Time leads non-centers who have attempted at least 10 shots. (Plus, much of the amazing Game 4 against the Nets does not count as “Clutch Time,” as Chicago was down by more than 5 when Nate did most of his damage.)

Robinson was playing for the veteran’s minimum this season, but won’t have to again next year. (Side note: Marco Bellineli did the same thing on a smaller level—I liked what I saw from him this postseason and he hits free agency this summer as well.)

Brandon Jennings—FA Stock Down

Point Guard A’s Playoff Numbers (4 games): 13.5 points (29.8 percent), 1.5 threes (21.4 percent), 4 assists, 2.25 boards per game, bad defense (you’ll believe me when you find out who it is)

Point Guard B’s Playoff Numbers (5 games): 14.2 points (41.8 percent) 1.6 threes (33.3 percent), 3.5 assists, 6.6 boards per game, great defense (you’ll believe me when you find out who it is)

Player B’s contract pays him $1.7 million over the next two seasons combined, while Player A will be a restricted free agent this summer. After the unimpressive postseason (11 points combined between Games 2 and 4 against the Heat), Player A, better known as Brandon Jennings, should be a little nervous about becoming a free agent.

Only so many teams will have max money available, and Jennings is simply not worth locking up with such a big contract. I like watching Jennings when he shoots well as much as the next guy, but he can be absolutely brutal and I don’t think he can run the show on a title contender. There’s a reason why in four years with Jennings as Milwaukee’s best offensive player, the Bucks have failed to reach the Playoffs twice and got swept once.

Jennings has tremendous offensive talent, but couldn’t co-exist with Monta Ellis (I’ve written about the Bucks’ backcourt incompetence before). Milwaukee also secretly had a strong front line (Sanders, Ilyasova, Gooden, Henson, Dalembert), and they still couldn’t win 40 games in a season where they faced the Bobcats, Pistons, Cavs, Wizards, Raptors, Magic, Suns and Hornets a combined 25 times. So where, exactly, are you going if Jennings is a max player on your team, essentially locking him into being the No. 1 or 2 guy for the next handful of years? Probably not very far.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Bucks value him this summer—they can match any contract he receives from another team. It’s not that hard to replace Jennings—a volume shooting point guard who doesn’t always deliver late. I think Dallas could be an interesting sleeper team for Jennings’ services, but anybody who gives him max dough will regret it.

PS—Player B is Patrick Beverley. What a steal.

PPS—I don’t think Ellis, a likely free agent, changed his free agent value much against Miami. He played well twice (22 and 21 points, 50+ percent shooting in Games 1 and 4, respectively) and left his game at home twice (7 points in Game 2 and Game 3, sub 30-percent shooting in each). You know what you’re getting from Ellis on a seasonal basis—lots of points, lots of shots, lots of games played and some underratedly good passing. He’s entering his age-28 season and deserves to be paid pretty well. Jamal Crawford gets between $5 and $6 million annually, so Ellis, in my mind, deserves about $6-8 million per year on a multi-year deal. He’ll likely get closer to or north of $10 million annually.

JR Smith—Stock Down

Total flop of a postseason for JR. It started off alright (15, 19, 15 in the Knicks three Ws against Boston) before this, this, this and, most importantly, this happened. In eight games P.S. (post-suspension), Smith failed to shoot 40 percent or better even once. Through the entire postseason, he never scored 20 or handed out more than 3 assists. In fact, his assist:turnover ratio was a hard-to-believe 15:20. JR hit 13-50 three-point tries P.S., and essentially no-showed the entire series against the Pacers. In his Knicks career, Smith has now played in 16 Playoff games, and boasts a 32.6 shooting percentage and 24.4 three-point percentage while taking 15 shots per game in those 16.

Toward the end of the regular season, I wrote that JR was hands-down the Sixth Man of the Year since he was the second-best player on the second-best team in the East. When it mattered, the Knicks proved to be unworthy of the No. 2 seed, and JR fell short of being an elite second option.

We should have seen it coming. I like JR, but I think he got overhyped this year by people including myself. Smith has no experience being a second option on a threatening team, but was thrown into the role this year. He was never suited for it, and while he more or less succeeded during the regular season, the postseason creates a much greater challenge. Unfortunately for the Knicks, who have max contracts tied into the invisible Amar’e Stoudemire and offensively limited Tyson Chandler, there was no choice but to make Smith a guy who gets 15-20 shots on a nightly basis.

Teams spend years (and sometimes draft picks) undoing past mistakes in the name of carving out salary cap space in the NBA. Paying Smith to be your No. 2 guy despite him hanging consistent 5-15’s in the Playoffs in that role would be idiotic, especially when last summer, slightly worse versions of JR named Nick Young, Randy Foye and Marco Bellineli got one-year contracts and it took just a two-year pact at $5 million per for Dallas to land OJ Mayo. It’s not hard to find someone who can get hot in a flash, and while Smith’s hot is hotter than most other players’, it’s just not worth the headache.

Smith will still get paid well, and he should, but a month ago he seemed like a good bet to land a four-year, $40-50 million deal from an overaggressive team or a team that struck out on the other big free agents. Now that seems a lot less likely.

Don’t Forget About These Guys

Some good to-be FAs are still fighting in the Playoffs. David West put forth very David Westian performances against the Hawks and Knicks, and likely didn’t change his value much. He’ll probably get something around the $10 million he’s currently earning annually. Manu Ginobili is suddenly more likely to score 8 points than 23, but that’s not really a sign of rapid decline. He’s developed into more of a facilitator who has the ability to score from anywhere in the floor if you take his unselfishness for granted. I think he’ll quickly re-up with San Antonio on a team-friendly “I’m Retiring Here” deal. Birdman Andersen has been awesome for Miami, and if teams aren’t scared off by his off-the-court problems, he should easily find a big raise from this year’s veteran’s minimum salary.

Memphis’ Tony Allen and San Antonio’s Tiago Splitter are the two wild cards for me. Allen, an unrestricted free agent, has made major noise with his defensive prowess this postseason, and could land a pretty sweet contract somewhere. I’d be careful if I were him, or a team in the bidding, though, as I think the Oklahoma State alum needs to be on a team that appreciates team defense and can thrive even with one of its wing players scoring 5-11 points per game.

The 28-year-old Splitter continued to improve this season, finishing with 10.5 points (56 percent) and 6.5 boards per game. Unfortunately he’s battled an ankle injury throughout the Playoffs so his numbers have taken a dive, but the Brazilian has scored 14 in two of his last three games. Splitter’s mostly gotten beaten up by Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol in Round 2, but his pick-and-roll defense has been good enough to keep him on the floor over Tim Duncan in crunch time. With JaVale McGee and DeAndre Jordan each making more than $10 million annually, it’s hard to imagine Splitter not getting an offer for at least $7 or $8 million per year as a restricted free agent. Assuming Splitter’s ankle has healed and he finishes the postseason playing well, San Antonio might have a tough time keeping him this summer.

The post Winners and Losers, Among the Losers appeared first on SLAM.

State Of Nate – ‘Hello Brooklyn’ (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:30:13 +0000

In the latest episode of S.O.N., Nate makes his return to the Empire State. Despite playing for the Bulls, New Yorkers make it quite clear that there will always be a place for Nate in NYC. Nate’s strong presence as a basketball player and a human being reminds us that big things come in small packages.

The post State Of Nate – ‘Hello Brooklyn’ (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Tom Thibodeau Insists Bulls Haven’t Run Out of Steam

SLAM Staff — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:30:57 +0000

This rag-tag group of Chicago Bulls has pushed further in these NBA Playoffs than anyone had anticipated. Down 3-1 to the defending champion Miami Heat, it’s clear that their magical run will very soon come to an end. No matter what Tom Thibodeau and Nate Robinson continue to tell the public (and themselves.) Per the AP: “At various times in the final quarter, Chicago had Nazr Mohammed, Daequan Cook, Malcolm Thomas, Marquis Teague and 35-year-old Rip Hamilton on the floor. What’s scary isn’t that some NBA fans had no idea that any or all of that group was in the league; rather, it’s that many of those same fans wouldn’t recognize the guys they were supposed to be spelling. The Bulls wound up shooting 26 percent and totaled just 65 points by the end of Game 4, another team record for futility. Yet they probably had no business getting that many, let alone this far in the playoffs. ‘We’re kind of putting screws and bandages everywhere,’ said forward Taj Gibson, another backup pressed into regular service. ‘It’s frustrating. Every night and every day. It’s rough. It’s really rough,’ he added a moment later. ‘I wish I could explain how I’m feeling right now. How everybody in this locker room is feeling now.’ Actually, there’s no need for a lengthy explanation when a glance will do. Gibson had icepacks covering both knees as he talked. Across the room, Joakim Noah had his right foot (plantar fasciitis) submerged in a bucket of ice. Next to him, Nate Robinson had an icepack covering his left shoulder. The players who hadn’t left in a hurry to lick their wounds at home were still lined up in the trainer’s room, awaiting their turns. […] Afterward, Thibodeau was asked whether the Bulls’ performance was proof they’d simply ‘run out of steam.’ ‘No,’ he replied. ‘I think the thing is they’re (Heat) a great team. We have to come out with great intensity – but we also have to make shots.’ […] ‘There’s a lot left in the tank,’ Nate Robinson said bravely. ‘Down 3-1, you never know. Take it to Game 7 and we end up winning, it’s going to be a beautiful story to tell my kids one day.'”

The post Tom Thibodeau Insists Bulls Haven’t Run Out of Steam appeared first on SLAM.

LeBron James Crushes Dunk Off Bulls Turnover (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:10:49 +0000

After Nate Robinson coughed up the rock when facing a Miami Heat trap, Chicago Bulls fans caught a glance of the worst possible sight: LeBron James with a full head of steam, and nothing but the basket in front of him.

The post LeBron James Crushes Dunk Off Bulls Turnover (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson the Star of New NBA Playoffs Ad (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:15:58 +0000

LeBron James was the first player featured in this series of “We are All Watching” commercials for the NBA Playoffs. Russell Westbrook followed that up with his own spot, and now (somewhat improbably), Nate Robinson is making his star turn.

The post Nate Robinson the Star of New NBA Playoffs Ad (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

LeBron James Prepared to Guard Nate Robinson

SLAM Staff — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:40:52 +0000

With Derrick Rose out of the picture for the Bulls/Heat series, LeBron James wasn’t supposed to have a one-on-one challenge on the defensive end. After the surprising Game 1 result, Miami may need to call upon LeBron to shut down Nate Robinson at crunch time. James says he’s up for the challenge. Per the Miami Herald: “The Heat’s uncharacteristic defensive lapse in the fourth quarter of Game 1 continued to gnaw at Heat coach Erik Spoelstra a day after his team’s 93-86 loss to the Bulls on Monday night. The Heat was outgunned 35-24 in the final period, with the Bulls scoring the final 10 points of the game. At the center of Chicago’s dominant late-game charge was diminutive point guard Nate Robinson, who scored nine of the Bulls’ final 12 points, including the last seven of the game. The days between games in a tight series are always about making the proper adjustments, but Spoelstra bristled when asked a question about his decision to sub out defensive specialist Norris Cole in favor of starter Mario Chalmers with 5:38 left in the game. With Chalmers and Ray Allen guarding the perimeter, Robinson had a hand (points or assists) in 14 of the Bulls’ final 17 points, including a driving, finger-roll layup that put Chicago ahead 90-86 with 45.5 seconds left. ‘The guy had [27 points], so he had it going most of the game,’ Spoelstra said of Robinson. […] After Monday’s defensive debacle, LeBron James said he ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if he was ‘stuck’ guarding Robinson late in games. ‘I’ll take the challenge on anyone,’ James said.”

The post LeBron James Prepared to Guard Nate Robinson appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Takes Over in Crunch Time vs Miami Heat (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:50:07 +0000

The smallest guy on the court played with the biggest heart, as Nate Robinson capped off his 27-point performance in Game 1 against Miami by hitting two enormous buckets down the stretch.

The post Nate Robinson Takes Over in Crunch Time vs Miami Heat (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

LeBron James Falls on Nate Robinson and Bloodies Lip (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:40:24 +0000

The Chicago Bulls suffered another injury last night, and wouldn’t you know it, but they just kept fighting and winning.

(H/T: @cjzero)

The post LeBron James Falls on Nate Robinson and Bloodies Lip (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Chicago Bulls Stun Miami Heat in Game 1

SLAM Staff — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:00:29 +0000

by Marcel Mutoni / @ marcel_mutoni

Much like when Miami rolled into Chicago riding a 27-game winning streak back in March, there was no reason to believe the severely depleted Bulls stood a chance against the defending NBA Champs last night in Game 1.

As usual, these ever-resilient Bulls proved everyone wrong, and shockingly took the series opener. Behind Nate Robinson’s 27 points and 9 assists, Chicago pulled off the 93-86 stunner.

Per the Daily Herald:

Since Feb. 3, the Heat is 40-1 against the rest of the NBA, but 1-2 against the Bulls. Robinson led all scorers with 27 points and scored the Bulls’ final 7, hitting the go-ahead jumper from the top of the key with 1:18 remaining. After the game, he talked about the matchup with Allen.

“I looked up to Ray for the majority of my childhood,” said Robinson, a Seattle native. “He played for the Sonics. I started doing a lot of shooting drills with him. I was in Boston with him. I know Ray. But my main objective was just to attack. Coach always says, ‘Make the bigs do their job.’ If they come over and block it, they block it. I was going to be aggressive. I waved Jo off because I didn’t want them to switch on the pick and roll with LeBron (James). I was like, ‘No, go back and we’ll see what happens here.’ I ended up making the layup.”

Robinson’s teammates were inspired by the little fella’s gutsy play — Joakim Noah argued that Nate is the greatest 6-foot-and-under player in NBA history — but they realize they have a very long way to go against Miami.

The Heat, rusty after eight days of rest, played sluggishly for much of Game 1. They are expected, of course, to respond with a vengeance.

While no reasonable observer is prepared to give the Chicago Bulls a real chance to win this series, it’s clear that things are going to be much more competitive than anyone had anticipated.

The post Chicago Bulls Stun Miami Heat in Game 1 appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Destroys Kris Humphries’ Ankles (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:30:22 +0000

An illness and Kris Humphries’ perimeter defense weren’t enough to stop Nate Robinson. Using a devastating array of fakes and crossovers, Lil’ Nate left Humphries in the dust and waltzed to the hoop for an easy layup.

The post Nate Robinson Destroys Kris Humphries’ Ankles (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Sick Nate Robinson Vomits While Sitting on the Bench (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:20:10 +0000

Playing through a nasty bout of the flu, Chicago Bulls guard Nate Robinson gutted out Game 6 — quite literally — and at one point, puked while taking a breather on the bench.

The post Sick Nate Robinson Vomits While Sitting on the Bench (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Breaks Deron Williams’ Ankles (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:00:34 +0000

Great move from Lil’ Nate, but it wasn’t enough as the Brooklyn Nets survived Game 5 110-91, and extended their season for at least another battle.

The post Nate Robinson Breaks Deron Williams’ Ankles (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Scores 23 Points in Game 4’s Fourth Quarter (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:12:36 +0000

It seems safe to assume neither the Bulls nor the Nets headed into the fourth quarter of Saturday’s slogfest expecting it to be a career night from Nate Robinson. But that’s exactly what happened—and then some.

The post Nate Robinson Scores 23 Points in Game 4’s Fourth Quarter (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson and Joe Johnson Trade Clutch Shots in Overtime (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:07:18 +0000

Before the Bulls would eventually go on to win 142-134 in an absurdly long three-overtime game, Nate Robinson and Joe Johnson traded huge buckets in the tilt’s first OT session.

The post Nate Robinson and Joe Johnson Trade Clutch Shots in Overtime (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Post Up: Man on Fire

SLAM Staff — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:02:37 +0000

Chicago 142, Brooklyn 134 (Bulls lead series 3-1)

The game seemed all but a wrap for Brooklyn late in the fourth. Deron Williams hit a 25-foot three from the right wing with 4:30 remaining. Brook Lopez knocked down a 19-footer on the next possession to extend the lead to 12. Gerald Wallace then threw down a driving dunk to make it a 14-point game with just three minutes to go.

It was supposed to be over. But not according to Nate Robinson.

And otherworldly fourth-quarter performance from Robinson sparked a triple-overtime battle that fulfilled all the categories of an instant classic…

Unassuming Hero: It must’ve been Nate’s NFL-style tackle of CJ Watson in the second quarter that ignited the Bulls guard’s superhuman performance. Down 14 points with three minutes and change to go in the game, Robinson scored 12 straight points and finished with 23 in the fourth quarter alone (nearly breaking Michael Jordan’s Playoff record of 24 fourth-quarter points). Nate single-handedly put the Bulls on his back willed Chicago into an improbable overtime period, where he banked-in a 23-foot, one-legged heave to put the Bulls up 121-119. He fouled out in the second overtime, but his career Playoff-high 34 points in just 28 minutes was a thing of legend. He was unstoppable and he knew it.

Epic proportions: The Nets wasted a prime chance to even the series at 2-2. The crucial game saw Robinson hit shots no human would think to attempt, as the Bulls snatched a commanding 3-1 series lead. Players were cramping and hobbling toward the end of the four-hour affair, but the game’s ramifications served to only kick up the intensity notch after notch.

Mistaken identity: The Bulls set franchise Playoff records for points (142) and made field goals (58), as the normally smash-mouth Chicago squad went up-tempo. Chicago has now won both offensive and defensive games against Brooklyn.

Fallen Star: Deron Williams was held to under 30 percent shooting over their previous two losses combined, and typical of Williams’ up-and-down season, DWill couldn’t take over when needed in Game 4. The Nets guard missed 9-10 shots at one point and managed only one layup in the three overtime periods. He did drop 32 points, but his seven turnovers all seemingly led to Chicago fast-break points.

Knightly Effort: With six seconds left in the third quarter, Brook Lopez grabbed a loose ball 26 feet out, turned around, and nailed the first three-pointer of his career to put the Nets up eight. Lopez went on to carry the Nets through regulation, blocking Noah at the rim to send the game into a third OT and hitting crucial free throws down the stretch.

Throwback Attack: Playing the role of unsung hero in the first half, Kirk Hinrich absolutely owned the end of the second quarter. Fighting through screens, saving the ball defensively, stripping away passes and knock down jumpers, Captain Kirk led the Bulls on a 11-0 run. Despite picking up his fifth foul with 5:39 left in the fourth quarter, Hinrich stayed in the game and finished with an efficient 18 points (7-12 shooting), 14 assists and 3 steals.

Was It All A Dream? Robinson came thisclose to missing the second half after getting tangled up in the second quarter with Watson. The two exchanged shoves and went crashing into the scorers’ table, but the referees decided not to eject them. Without Robinson, the series likely would be tied 2-2 as it heads back to Brooklyn on Monday. —Ryne Nelson / @slaman10

Oklahoma City 104, Houston 101 (Thunder lead series 3-0)

No one knew how the Oklahoma City Thunder would respond in Game 3 without their mercurially talented point guard Russell Westbrook, who is out indefinitely as he recovers from knee surgery.

“It’s been an emotional time the last 48 hours,” OKC head coach Scott Brooks said. “We all love what Russell is about. He’s got probably the biggest heart I’ve ever been around.”

Would the defending Western Conference champs fall off without Russ? Would they be easily defeated? Would the Houston Rockets flip the script and get back in the series?

Hell to the no, said Kevin Durant.

The man who let it be known that he was sick and tired of being sick and tired, or, you know, coming in second place, went out and made a mutha-effin’ statement Saturday night at the Toyota Center, tossing in a spectacular 41 points to take a 104-101 win in the Houston Rockets’ house.

“I didn’t feel the same,” Durant said. “And I knew I just had to give my all from here on out … every game is for him. [Westbrook] texted me at halftime and right after the game. Just said congrats and that he loved me.”

But it wasn’t like taking candy from a baby. The Rockets gave the Thunder all they could handle, especially in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.

After falling into 20-point deficit in the first quarter, James Harden & Co. battled all the way back, taking a 94-93 lead with 3:38 left in the game on the go-ahead three ball by Carlos Delfino. OKC retook the lead, but Francisco Garcia dropped an all-net poppin’ triple from the wing to go up 99-77 with 45.2 ticks left.

But Durantula took the air out of the building when he pulled up for a three at the top of the key and it bounced three times before falling into the cylinder to put the Thunder up 100-99.

“We didn’t want to give up any threes,” said Harden, who scored 30 points for the Rockets in the first Playoff game in Houston since 2009. “He just made a lucky shot. It was good defense. It just went in and took some of the energy out of us.”

Delfino had a chance to force OT, but his step back three was off target thanks to Serge Ibaka’s gangly outstretched arms on defense.

Reggie Jackson, who made his first career start in place of R-Dub, had 14 points, and Ibaka added 17 points and 11 rebounds. Chandler Parsons added 21 for Houston.

Game 4 is Monday night in Houston. —Maurice Bobb / @ReeseReport

Memphis 104, L.A. Clippers 83 (Series tied 2-2)

The twin towers struck again. Led by the superb play of their artists in the post—Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol—the Memphis Grizzles cruised to a 104-83 victory in Game 4, tying the series at 2-2 and “holding serve” according to coach Lionel Hollins.

Randolph posted another spectacular line, finishing with 24 points and 9 rebounds on 11-17 from the field and Gasol dropped 24 points and 13 rebounds and 4 assists on 9-14 shooting. “When he gets it going he can hit anything he wants to hit,” Gasol said of Randolph. “He found Tony and Q two or three times and that makes it hard on the defense.”

Randolph was just as complimentary of Gasol in their dual post-game press conference, calling the big man “the best center in the game.” Clippers PG Chris Paul praised the big men post-game and said it was clear his squad needs to make some serious adjustments before Game 5. “Their synergy is pretty amazing,” Paul explained. “Z-Bo inside and Marc is another guard the way he passes the ball, shoots the ball. But we gotta run them. You gotta try to get them tired. Can’t leave them in a rocking chair, we need to make them uncomfortable.”

Memphis jumped out to a 20-8 lead to start the game, fueled by Tayshaun Prince’s offensive output and Randolph’s easy buckets in the paint. But the Clippers fought back with help from Eric Bledsoe and Lamar Odom off the bench and lead 47-46 at the half.

But Memphis blew the game open in the fourth quarter with contributions from everyone it seemed, especially point guard Mike Conley who pieced together another sensational game from the PG position with 15 points and 13 assists. Prince added 15 points and Quincy Pondexter was nice off the bench with 10 points in 28 minutes of action. “Q has been stepping up and we need the bench to come out and play cause that’s how we’re going to win the series if we’re going to win,” Randolph said.

Blake Griffin and Paul led the Clippers with 19 points each but the rest of the starters for LA struggled—DeAndre Jordan (2 points) Caron Butler (0) and Chauncey Billups (0). “We made their bench beat us by shutting down their three starters,” Hollins said proudly.

Memphis had six players in double-figures including guard Tony Allen who added 10 points. The Grizzles had 22 points come via second chance opportunities, continuing their edge on the glass by out rebounding the Clips 45-28.

For the Clippers to bounce back in game five, they will need to speed up the tempo and box out much better. According to Griffin, team defense must improve. “For us it starts on defense,” he said.

Game 5 is Tuesday night at Staples Center. —Nima Zarrabi / @NZbeFree

Atlanta 90, Indiana 69 (Pacers lead series 2-1)

Last night, Atlanta made this an interesting series. They held Indiana to 27.2 percent shooting. Al Horford was the leader for Atlanta, dropping 26 and 16 while locking down Roy Hibbert.

Josh Smith only made 6-of-13 shots, but he was all over the place and finished with 6 assists, 6 boards and 3 steals. Jeff Teague was the only other Hawk in double-figures with 13, and he tallied 6 rebounds and 5 assists. That’s not the prettiest box score, but Indiana’s is the worst I’ve seen in a while.

The Pacers hit 22-of-81 shots. That’s really amazing when you factor in David West’s 7-for-14 effort (meaning the rest of the team shot 15-for-67). Paul George was 4/11. Gerald Green was 4/12. Roy Hibbet was 3/8. George Hill was 1/8. Lance Stephenson was 1/7. DJ Augustin, Orlando Johnson and Jeff Pendergraph were a combined 0-for-14. Pretty ugly.

The Hawks owned this one from beginning to end. They led by 13 after one and 24 at halftime. The Pacers were simply the better team in Games 1 and 2, but they sure didn’t look like it last night. I still think the Pacers take this series in 5 or 6, but the Hawks showed some guts that I don’t think many people thought they had on Friday night.

They’ve scored 90 or more points in each of the first three games, proving they’re not struggling too badly against Indiana’s strong defense. The Hawks have a chance to make this a real series. For them to do so, Josh Smith needs to step up. In the first three games of this series, he’s averaged a reliable 15 and 7. But they don’t need him to be a 15-and-7 guy; they need him to be a star. I’m very interested to see how (A) Indiana rebounds from this terrible performance and (B) Smith plays on Monday night. —Leo Sepkowitz

The post Post Up: Man on Fire appeared first on SLAM.

The Heist

Yaron Weitzman — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:25:43 +0000

[sg-gallery]

by Yaron Weitzman / @YaronWeitzman

Nate Robinson was not really supposed to matter for the Chicago Bulls this season.

When the 5-9 guard was signed for the veteran’s minimum last July, the hope was that Robinson would provide some bench scoring and off-the-dribble creativity, something that had disappeared from the Bulls’ offense the second Derrick Rose went down. A “pinch hitter” was how ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy described this intended role during a recent telecast, an explosive but streaky player who could come in, take a few big cuts, and, if he didn’t connect, spend the rest of the game watching from the bench.

For the Bulls, though, very little this season has actually gone according to plan. Not only has Rose not yet stepped on the court, but Kirk Hinrich and Rip Hamilton, two guards who were supposed to help carry some of the offensive load, have missed significant time due to injuries. So has Taj Gibson. Loul Deng has missed multiple games, too.

In their absence, the Bulls have been forced to rely on a man whose contract they weren’t even willing to guarantee until well into the season. And while Robinson’s style—both playing and personal—doesn’t necessarily mesh with the strictly business, no-nonsense one of the Tom Thibodeau-led Bulls, he has become an invaluable member of the Rose-less ones, and a major reason why Chicago has been able to weather the storm of injuries that has hit it, and finds itself heading into the Playoffs sitting eight games above .500 and at the fifth spot in the East.

“Stepping in for Kirk, and with DRose being out, I’ve had to pick up a lot of the slack and try to lead these guys to as many victories as possible,” Robinson says. “For me, though, whether I’m starting or coming off the bench, I don’t change anything. My game’s all about the energy, and I’m always going to bring that, no matter what my role is.”

For Robinson, however, it’s this thought process that, while pure in its intentions, has often led to trouble in the past. On a basketball court there’s a fine line between energetic and reckless, between trying to carry the offensive load and shooting a team out of a game. The difficulty for a dynamic player like Robinson is finding that line, and a coach and system willing to embrace such a quest.

“I always thought Nate was at his best when he seems like he’s just about to get out of control,” says Lorenzo Romar, who coached Robinson at the University of Washington. “He’s a high-risk thrill seeker with a ton of athleticism, and, when you have a player like that, if you want to get the best out of him, you have to let him play instead of giving him rules.”

The problem is, understandably, not many coaches are open to making such a deal with a player who, on a healthy team, is going to spend the majority of the season coming off the bench. In Thibodeau and the Bulls, though, Robinson found his perfect match: a hard-nosed coach and blue-collar franchise willing to go to desperate measures in order to fill a desperate need.

That Robinson is thriving in said system, one no analyst or fan would have ever pegged as a “fit” for him, shows just how far the three-time Slam Dunk champion has come. “They say opposites attract,” says Robinson, who is averaging 13.1 points and 4.4 assists in just 25.4 minutes per game. “[Thibodeau] is more the drill sergeant, and I’m more the free spirit.

“It’s so much fun, man,” he adds. “The thing is, he lets us be ourselves—we’re just expected to know our jobs.” Robinson also admits that playing for Thibodeau has helped him improve in some of the areas where he most needed to, such as guarding the ball and running the point. Those who know the Seattle, WA, native’s game best have noticed.

“I watched a game of his recently, and it was the best I’ve ever seen him play the point,” Romar says. “He was shooting when he was supposed to, being aggressive when he was supposed to, setting his teammates up, but without giving just himself up.

“I’d never seen him look like such a point guard before.”

In the end, the fate of the Bulls will likely rest on the health of a single left knee. But in the meantime, the onus falls on players like Robinson to keep Chicago afloat.

“For this team,” Robinson says, “the sky is the limit.”

Whether or not that turns out to be so could very well be up to him.

The post The Heist appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Shows ESPN His Jordan Collection (KICKS)

SLAM Staff — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:32:15 +0000

[sg-gallery]

It’s no secret that Chicago Bulls guard and three-time Slam Dunk champion Nate Robinson has a deep affection for sneakers. ESPN recently caught up with Nate, who gave the sports network an inside look at his Jordan collection.

The collection, which spans over 150 pairs, showcases a wide range of Jordans from Is, Vs, VIIs and XIs. Nate made note that the Tokyo IVs were the hardest to track down in his closet . Check out the looks above and on Nate’s feet during the Playoffs.

Images via ESPN

The post Nate Robinson Shows ESPN His Jordan Collection (KICKS) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Mocks Steve Novak Again With Celebration (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:40:22 +0000

The Nate Robinson/Steve Novak beef is still very much on. Lil’ Nate pulled off Novak’s double-discount check celebration after hitting a three midway through the fourth quarter last night, as his 35 points led the Chicago Bulls to a big 118-111 overtime victory (which snapped the New York Knicks’ 13-game winning streak.)

(H/T: TPF)

The post Nate Robinson Mocks Steve Novak Again With Celebration (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Post Up: Streak Busters

SLAM Staff — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:00:27 +0000

by Peter Walsh

Bulls 118 (43-35), Knicks 111 (51-27) F/OT

For the second time in two weeks, Chicago defeated the hottest team in the NBA. First, the Bulls beat the Heat to snap their 27-game win streak and last night, the Bulls held on to beat the Knicks in overtime to end their 13-game win streak. New York raced out to a hot start and opened up a quick 17-point lead but the Bulls came back to cut the deficit to five at the half. New York once again built their lead to double-digits in the third–this time going up by 15–but once again, the Bulls didn’t relent. Down 82-80 at the end of three, Chicago tied the game up after Luol Deng hit the first bucket of the fourth. Over the next six minutes, the Bulls went on a 19-8 run to give them a a 99-90 lead. The Bulls failed to score a basket the rest of regulation, only hitting free throws. New York continued to chip away and tied the score at 105 thanks to two Carmelo Anthony free throws with 14.5 seconds left. The Knicks had a chance to end the game in regulation but Melo’s last second shot drew iron and the teams went to overtime. Nate Robinson opened the fourth with a three-point play and it was over from there. Robinson scored eight points in the extra session to finish with a season-high 35 points and gave the Bulls their final push while the Knicks ran out of gas. Jimmy Butler scored 22 points and grabbed 14 boards and Luol Deng scored 15 points and grabbed 8 boards. Melo scored 36 (13-34 shooting) and grabbed 19 boards, J.R. Smith scored 28 points and grabbed 14 boards and Ray Felton scored 19 and dropped 6 dimes.

Just ‘Cuz:

Ghostface Killah – Mighty Healthy

Ghost has been getting me through the last month of the season and this has been on repeat. His next album, Twelve Reasons To Die, drops April 16th and sounds amazing. Preview / read about it here. Buy it here.

Thunder 116 (58-21), Warriors 97 (45-34)

Kevin Durant scored 31 points, grabbed 10 boards and dropped 8 dimes to to lead the Thunder in a romp over the Warriors. With the win, OKC regained the Western Conference’s best record. The Thunder ended this one in the third quarter behind a 22-5 run that made it a 94-73 game entering the fourth. Andrew Bogut left the game with what is being called an ankle sprain. His status for tonight’s game against the Lakers is unknown. Russ Westbrook finished with 18 points, 9 dimes and 6 turnovers while Kevin Martin scored 23 off the pine. Steph Curry led the Warriors with 22 points and 7 assists.

The post Post Up: Streak Busters appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Floats in Game Winner vs Brooklyn Nets (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:20:59 +0000

After stealing Brook Lopez’s desperate, horrendous pass, Lil’ Nate Robinson hit a floater over the Brooklyn Nets big man to seal the 92-90 win for the Chicago Bulls.

The post Nate Robinson Floats in Game Winner vs Brooklyn Nets (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Splits Double-Team for a Big Dunk (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:20:22 +0000

Damian Lillard and JJ Hickson thought they Nate Robinson trapped at the top of the key, but the little fella split the double and hammered home a dunk.

The post Nate Robinson Splits Double-Team for a Big Dunk (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Jimmy Butler Finishes One-Handed Alley-Oop (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:10:25 +0000

Nate Robinson found a streaking Jimmy Butler on the fastbreak, for a high-flying finish last night. The Chicago Bulls, however, fell to the visiting Portland Trailblazers 99-89.

The post Jimmy Butler Finishes One-Handed Alley-Oop (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Ty Lawson Crosses Up Nate Robinson and Finds Kenneth Faried (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:05:28 +0000

The assault started early for the Denver Nuggets, as they pounded the Chicago Bulls into submission. Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried connected on a spectacular play to kick things off.

The post Ty Lawson Crosses Up Nate Robinson and Finds Kenneth Faried (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

State Of Nate – ‘Windy City Debut’ (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 22:37:37 +0000

If you recorded video of your life every day, what would the product look like? Probably nothing like that of the Eastern Conference Player of the Week. In the latest episode of Nate Robinson’s continuing documentary, State of Nate, the PG arrives in the Chi and begins his work for the Bulls. The series, produced by TJ Regan, not only makes for entertaining viewing, but for Nate, it’ll make for great memories as well.

The post State Of Nate – ‘Windy City Debut’ (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Q+A: Nate Robinson

SLAM Staff — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:44:18 +0000

by Daniel Friedman / @DFried615

After Derrick Rose tore his ACL in the Playoffs last season, Chicago had to ensure they were equipped with sufficient backup while their MVP went through the daunting recovery. Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau knew he had a reliable veteran in Kirk Hinrich, but he needed to acquire a suitable reserve to help shoulder some of the load.

That’s when Thibodeau reached out to the wily Nate Robinson, formerly of the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. Robinson is a guy who’s known for coming off the bench to put up buckets in a flash. And with Rose out indefinitely, Thibodeau knew he needed someone who could help replace Rose’s offensive production.

The Bulls (29-19) have played well without Rose in the lineup and sit atop the Central Division tied with the Indiana Pacers. Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer have stepped up to solidify their presence down low, while Luol Deng has accepted his role as the closer for the team.

But after the default starting point guard Hinrich went down with an elbow injury, it was time for Robinson to step in and assume the role of floor general. To that end, Thibodeau said of Robinson, “He’s had some big games and I think he’s put a lot of work into his defense—he’s been a catalyst for us all season.”

In the last five games, Robinson is averaging 18.0 points, 6.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. He’s also scored in double figures in the last 10 straight. Since being placed into the starting role, Robinson has led the team to a 3-1 record, and earned his first ever Eastern Conference Player of the Week award.

Before taking on the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, Robinson sat down with SLAMonline to talk about what it’s like to play in the City of Chicago, his experiences at All-Star Weekend, and more.

SLAM: What’s it like to play for coach Tom Thibodeau?

Nate Robinson: Coach is a drill sergeant, and we’re his warriors. Everything we do, we go over and over. We got to be ready. It’s kind of like when you play Call of Duty, everybody has their job and if one person messes up, it messes up the whole operation. We’re a unit and we move as one.

SLAM: He’s known for his defensive coaching, and in that sense, how does he differ from other coaches you’ve been around?

NR: For him, defense wins Championships, and it wins a lot more games than offense. So we just go out there and try to play as hard as we can on defense, and the offense will take care of itself.

SLAM: How is the basketball culture in Chicago different from other cities you’ve played in?

NR: I mean you got so many historical guys who have played for this team. You got Michael Jordan, the face of the NBA and the best player to ever play the game. Then you got guys like Scottie Pippen…There’s just so much history, and being in Chicago is different because they really love their basketball. It’s just great to be a part of, it’s kind of hard to describe but the feeling is unbelievable when you put on this jersey and you’re representing the Bulls and all of the late greats, it’s been awesome.

SLAM: Your production is up and Jimmy Butler has been coming up big off the bench as well. How have the Bulls been able to step up without Derrick Rose running the show?

NR: Just playing and having fun man, that’s about it. That’s all we’ve been doing is just playing together and it’s been working.

SLAM: Do you feel like you’re getting a little bit more comfortable with your role on the team?

NR: I’ve been comfortable…We’re just flowing. It’s been beautiful. You can’t win every game, you can’t play perfect, but we play hard.

SLAM: What kinds of things have you been working on individually to improve your game?

NR: Just patience, getting a better shot selection, and just trying to find the open guy when I need to, you know, just picking my spots.

SLAM: You chose to sign with the Bulls this offseason, what were the main factors that led to that decision?

NR: Like I told you, Michael Jordan, playing alongside DRose, and the city of Chicago is like no other. Coach came to me and wanted me here, so that was another thing that made it easy for me to make my decision.

SLAM: What has it been like to participate in so many All-Star weekends, and to win the Slam Dunk contest, arguably the most entertaining part of the weekend, a record three times?

NR: It’s great, you know, you got your All-Stars around that have been playing at a high level. It’s been awesome over the years but for us we’re worried about bigger and better things, trying to focus on getting guys healthy, and stepping up and playing together as a team so we can win as many games as we can.

SLAM: Can you see yourself participating in the event again?

NR: I don’t know, probably one day. I’m probably getting a little too old now.

SLAM: After seeing the trailer for Isaiah Thomas’ upcoming documentary, you reached out to filmmaker TJ Regan to cover you as well. Can you just talk a little bit about ‘State of Nate’ and what you’re looking to do with that venture?

NR: We’re just doing a little series, nothing major. I’m not doing it for me. I’m just doing it for my children to have for the archives when they get older. For me it’s great because I get to let people see how I am off the court and how I am with my kids and how hard you got to work, so it just makes it fun.

The post Q+A: Nate Robinson appeared first on SLAM.

Steve Novak Clowns Nate ‘Little Nathan’ Robinson For Celebration (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 17:32:29 +0000

After hitting a couple shots in the second quarter, Nate Robinson mocked Steve Novak by doing his trademark discount double-check. When asked about it during a post-game interview, Novak deadpans this perfectly executed shot: “One day when little Nathan grows up, I hope that his dreams come true and he can be just like me.”

A reporter then asked Novak if he ever played with Robinson. “No,” Novak said. “He’s too young.”

The post Steve Novak Clowns Nate ‘Little Nathan’ Robinson For Celebration (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Brandon Jennings Motivated By Nate Robinson’s Trash Talk

SLAM Staff — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:15:51 +0000

Brandon Jennings torched the Bulls in Chicago last night, to the tune of 35 points in a 104-96 win for the Milwaukee Bucks. Jennings admitted after the game that Nate Robinson’s chirping got him going. Per the Daily Herald: “Nate Robinson scored 13 points in the first quarter and the Bulls opened an early 24-9 lead. But Jennings kept on coming. He scored 10 points in the final 7:34 of the second quarter, added 20 points in the third, and finished with 35. The Bucks stunned the Bulls for the second time at the United Center this season, winning 104-96. ‘If you don’t play with great intensity, particularly when you have people out, you’re not going to give yourself a chance to win,’ coach Tom Thibodeau said. ‘We wanted to make it a ‘You shoot, I shoot’ type of game. You’re not going anywhere like that.’ Robinson’s early hot streak might have played a hand in the Bulls’ downfall. When Jennings got going in the second half, he often mimicked Robinson’s jet plane imitation after hitting big shots. ‘Yeah, a little trash talking before the second half,’ Jennings said. ‘I guess he felt like he had it going, was getting the best of me. I really don’t take trash-talking too kindly because I don’t do a lot of trash talking. I warned him. It happens.’ Down the hall, Robinson denied delivering any sort of excessive trash talk. ‘No, it happens all the time,’ he said. ‘A couple little dirty plays exchanged, but nothing to complain about. It’s basketball.’ Jim Boylan, who improved to 2-0 as head coach of the Bucks, laughed off the point-guard exchange. ‘I don’t know if it set (Jennings) off,’ he said. ‘Two guys that like to talk a lot. You put them in a room together, something’s going to happen. Nate had it going in the first half. Brandon, sometimes that gets his motor going a little bit. He kind of went back at him. They’ll do it again another time.'”

The post Brandon Jennings Motivated By Nate Robinson’s Trash Talk appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson With the Huge Block on MarShon Brooks (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 17:24:09 +0000

Maybe not the first guy you’d expect to have a monster block—though he has made ’em before!—but Nate Robinson denied MarShon Brooks’ lay-up attempt in a very major way Saturday night.

The post Nate Robinson With the Huge Block on MarShon Brooks (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Scores on a 360-Degree Layup (VIDEO)

SLAM Staff — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:25:27 +0000

Lil’ Nate Robinson has to try a little harder than most in the NBA to get buckets, and if that means fooling defenders by spinning 360 degrees in the air for a layup, then so be it.

The post Nate Robinson Scores on a 360-Degree Layup (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Stephen Curry Calls Nate Robinson and Chris Paul NBA’s Biggest Trash-Talkers

SLAM Staff — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:50:49 +0000

Trash talk is an integral, and often hilarious part of the game. According to Stephen Curry, Nate Robinson and Chris Paul are particularly adept at the art of chirping on the court. From TBL: “Nate Robinson, when he was on our team. He’s a 24-7 trash talker and and hype man. He talks constantly on planes, in the locker room, wherever. It’s all in good fun. On the court I’d have to say Chris Paul. Back when he was on the Hornets, they had a huge 20-point lead on us and he went to the bench. We went on a run and cut the lead to like three and then they went to put CP back in. He was sitting at the scorer’s table and telling me and coach, ‘time to put the closer back in’ and he was doing what baseball managers do – put their arm out and tap on it, like they’re going to closer in the 9th inning. He was laughing while doing this and yeah, they came back and won.”

The post Stephen Curry Calls Nate Robinson and Chris Paul NBA’s Biggest Trash-Talkers appeared first on SLAM.

Chicago Bulls Signed Nate Robinson

SLAM Staff — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 21:21:21 +0000

What was expected, is now official. Nate Robinson is taking his talents to the Windy City. Per the Chicago Tribune: “The Bulls just got a little more interesting. On Tuesday they announced the signing of 5-foot-9 guard Nate Robinson, the seven-year vet known for his leaping ability and free-flowing ways with the media. Robinson, who essentially replaces John Lucas III (who signed with Toronto), joins a Bulls backcourt with Kirk Hinrich, Richard Hamilton, Marquis Teague, swingmen Jimmy Butler and Marco Belinelli and the on-the-mend Derrick Rose.”

The post Chicago Bulls Signed Nate Robinson appeared first on SLAM.

Chicago Bulls to Sign Nate Robinson on 1-Year Deal

SLAM Staff — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:30:28 +0000

Chicago Bulls fans have been in an understandably foul mood all summer long, but Nate Robinson will soon arrive to provide some laughs. And presumably, to play a little ball as well. Per SI: “The deal, which agent Aaron Goodwin said should be finalized ‘barring unforeseen problems,’ will likely pay the eight-year veteran the veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million for next season. Robinson, who regained his form as a reserve for Golden State last season after playing just four games in the second half of the 2010-11 campaign with Oklahoma City, will join veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich in the Bulls’ Derrick Rose-less backcourt after his recent return. Hinrich, who signed a two-year, $8 million deal last week with the Bulls, spent his first seven seasons in Chicago before he was traded to Washington in June 2010 and later traded to Atlanta in Feb. 2011. […] Robinson, the 5-foot-9 guard who is still best known for his three All-Star Slam Dunk Contest championships, averaged 11.2 points (42.4 percent shooting overall), 23.5 minutes, 1.2 steals and a career-high 4.5 assists per game with Golden State last season. If the signing does indeed take place, this will be the 28-year-old’s fifth team since the 2009-10 campaign after he played previously with New York, Boston, Oklahoma City, and the Warriors.”

The post Chicago Bulls to Sign Nate Robinson on 1-Year Deal appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Escaped Gunfire at Rucker Park Unhurt

SLAM Staff — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:05:56 +0000

Golden State Warriors point guard Nate Robinson was much luckier than the five people who were shot last night, at the legendary Rucker Park in New York City. Reports the NY Daily News: “Gunfire erupted around 10 p.m. at the Holcombe Rucker Park court on Frederick Douglass Boulevard near W. 155th St. after a dispute during a game for the Entertainers Basketball Classic, witnesses said. ‘They started arguing, about a bad call or something like that,’ said Rodney Harris, 47. ‘The guy was standing no more than five feet away from me. He pulled a gun out of his pocket and shot once. He then shot one more time. Everyone started running. He was real close to me,’ Harris said. ‘I thought I got shot.’ Nate Robinson, a former point guard for the Knicks, was at the game but escaped unscathed, witnesses said. ‘He was watching the game,’ Harris said. ‘After the shooting, he was okay. He wasn’t hurt…he left like everyone else.’ The five shooting victims were taken to area hospitals and all expected to survive, police said. One other person also was injured in the incident. The shooter started running amongst the crowd but then walked calmly across the street toward the Fine Fare supermarket and fired a few more rounds, Harris said. ‘Then he just walked away. He didn’t even run. My friend, a basketball player, got shot in the ankle,’ he said. ‘It could have been worse.'”

The post Nate Robinson Escaped Gunfire at Rucker Park Unhurt appeared first on SLAM.

Video: State Of Nate, Episode 9

SLAM Staff — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:53:12 +0000

Nate Robinson has been known for his passionate play and high-flying highlights. As the PG’s hit documentary internet show continues, Robinson gives fans an insider’s look of the what fuels him to be the dynamic player he is on the court.

The post Video: State Of Nate, Episode 9 appeared first on SLAM.

Video: State of Nate, Episode 8: Little Giants

SLAM Staff — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:19:38 +0000

Episode eight of Nate Robinson’s awesome “State of Nate” series highlights the relationship between Nate and fellow Seattle native/Sacramento Kings rookie Isaiah Thomas. Both Robinson and Thomas went to the University of Washington as well, so the comparisons were unavoidable. Not only do the two have similar games, but they happen to be great friends off the court, and Nate serves as a mentor to his younger counterpart. Peep the vid above for some great footage of the two while they were in high school and highlights from their head-to-head matchup that went down earlier this season, along with a look at a recent SLAM photo shoot featuring the two.

The post Video: State of Nate, Episode 8: Little Giants appeared first on SLAM.

Kicks: Monta Ellis, Nate Robinson Wear Retro Jordans

SLAM Staff — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:13:56 +0000

[sg-gallery]

Nate Robinson and Monta Ellis may be diminutive in height, but their shoe games are on a million. Last night, Robinson busted out the Jordan X Retro Stealth, which drops on Saturday, while former teammate and brand new Milwaukee Buck Monta Ellis played in a pair of Jordan XIV in the Candy Cane colorway, which we saw Dwyane Wade playing in a few days ago.

The post Kicks: Monta Ellis, Nate Robinson Wear Retro Jordans appeared first on SLAM.

Mark Jackson: Warriors Don’t Regret Giving Up on Jeremy Lin

SLAM Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:10:01 +0000

While New York Knicks fans continue to delight in the Linsanity of it all, Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson insists that he’s at peace with the club’s decision to part ways with Jeremy Lin. From CSN Bay Area: “Warriors fans might be bummed that Lin has put two consecutive good games together, but the Warriors as a team are more than happy with backup point guard Nate Robinson — the man who eventually came to replace Lin. The Warriors waived Lin at the start of training camp in order to get as much money off their books as possible so as to make a run at DeAndre Jordan, a restricted free agent center. The Warriors didn’t get Jordan because the Clippers matched the four-year, $42.7 million offer. But in the process, they also lost Lin. ‘It’s a stretch, it’s a stretch,’ Warriors coach Mark Jackson said of those comparing Lin to Robinson. ‘The fact is Jeremy Lin was let go so we could clear money to get DeAndre Jordan. So, it’s not fair to say ‘Why did you go get Nate?’ That had nothing to do with Jeremy Lin. Jeremy Lin is playing great. I wish him nothing but the very best. I hope he continues to play great basketball because in my short time with him, he was class and quality … At the end of the day, Nate Robinson won games for us,’ Jackson said. ‘And it’s not a fair comparison because it’s not either/or. We went and got Nate when Steph (Curry) went down and we needed help at the point guard position.'”

The post Mark Jackson: Warriors Don’t Regret Giving Up on Jeremy Lin appeared first on SLAM.

Video: State of Nate, Episode 6

SLAM Staff — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:45:45 +0000

A few months back, we brought you the debut of the “State of Nate” video diary series, and while the lockout business caused us to overlook a few episodes in between, we now present Episode 6. “It’s a Small World” features Nate Robinson getting ready for the NBA season with home town friend Isaiah Thomas, current NBA rookie, with a cameo from Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, among others. You’ll see why this video got our attention, and make no mistake, we won’t miss an episode ever again.

The post Video: State of Nate, Episode 6 appeared first on SLAM.

Report: Nate Robinson Close to Signing With Warriors

SLAM Staff — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:34:40 +0000

After being bought out by the Thunder, free agent guard Nate Robinson appears to be close to signing a deal with the Golden State Warriors. The energetic Robinson was said to have drawn interest from a handful of teams, but Bay Area News Group Warriors beat writer Marcus Thompson reports today: “Warriors are close to signing free agent guard Nate Robinson, multiple sources confirmed. Robinson could sign as soon as Wednesday and join the team Friday in Los Angeles. The sixth year guard started last season with Boston, appearing in 55 games and averaging 7.1 points in 17.9 minutes. But he was traded to Oklahoma City, where he totaled just 30 minutes in four appearances. For his career, Robinson averages 11.3 points in 23 minutes. He gained national fame by winning two slam dunk contests at 5-foot-9.”

The post Report: Nate Robinson Close to Signing With Warriors appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson Wants to Change His Reputation Around the NBA

SLAM Staff — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:25:47 +0000

Having agreed to a buyout from the OKC Thunder, Nate Robinson is stuck in no-man’s land for the time being, but he wants decision-makers around the NBA to know that his reputation isn’t entirely accurate. From SI: “Nate Robinson has a request for general managers who might consider adding him to their roster next week when he’s likely to become a free agent: don’t judge a book by its cover. And in the case of Shaquille O’Neal’s recently released, Shaq Uncut: My Story, which portrays Robinson as a jokester more obsessed with his public persona than the decline of his career, the 5-foot-9 guard who is still best known for his three All-Star Slam Dunk Contest championships would be just fine if people skipped this particular book altogether. ‘Everybody on the Celtics knows who created every skit, every prank, that we did — it was all my man Shaq’s idea,’ Robinson, who was with Boston from Feb. 2010 to Feb. 2011, told SI.com via phone on Saturday. ‘We did it together. He wanted to say that, and it’s fine. But when it’s game time and I’m ready to play, then I’m ready to play. That’s something where I have to work to change people’s mind and prove to them that it’s not true. It is what it is. One good outlook of it is that I’m going to always be in that book. … Some people say some things that are not always right, and life’s not fair.’ After his buyout from Oklahoma City was finalized on Saturday and he’s on his way to yet another new stop, Robinson is determined to dispel the prevailing notion that he’s too sophomoric to sign. What was once a refreshing comedy act in those early years in New York has become his latest stigma, with some teams forgetting how explosive of a scorer and shooter he can be while focusing on the antics that have the potential to both doom and define him. As Robinson sees it, the reputation that has caused some wariness about him around the league him is off base. ‘I’m a fun and loving type of guy and always a positive person who’ll be trying to make people smile and laugh, and people take that as being a little kid and being silly,’ said Robinson. ‘This whole situation has definitely humbled me as a person and as a player. I just feel like, at times, I really don’t get that fair shot, like some other guys in the league, but I guess that’s my path. … I’ll continue to work hard.'”

The post Nate Robinson Wants to Change His Reputation Around the NBA appeared first on SLAM.

Nate Robinson, Thunder Reach Buyout Agreement

SLAM Staff — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:49:52 +0000

Oklahoma City had to cut its roster down to the maximum 15 players, and in order to do so, have waived Nate Robinson after reaching a buyout agreement. Yesterday, SI.com‘s Sam Amick reported Robinson was close to being bought out by the Thunder: “Robinson is on the books for $4.5 million in the final year of his contract, but he opted to stay in his native Seattle during training camp and the preseason rather than endure a second season on the Thunder bench. Robinson’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, and Thunder general manager Sam Presti had been working toward a mutual agreement in recent weeks and it appears a resolution is being finalized. The 5-foot-9, 27-year-old Robinson will have some value on the free-agent market as a high-energy reserve and streak scorer, though some teams are wary of his maturity and he is eager to convince prospective suitors that he will be as focused and engaged as they would expect.”

The Thunder confirmed the move Saturday via the team’s Twitter account:

The post Nate Robinson, Thunder Reach Buyout Agreement appeared first on SLAM.

A Bond Unbroken

SLAM Staff — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:57:28 +0000

[sg-gallery]

by Tyler Richardson / @Ty_richardson

The ﬁrst time Nate Robinson saw Isaiah Thomas play he was hooked.

Maybe it was his size. Maybe it was the swagger that oozed from the high schoolerʼs pores. Maybe it was the fact that the kid just dropped 51 points on the best team in the state in a playoff game.

Whatever it was, Robinson knew one thing—Isaiah Thomas was going to be big. Real big.

“I am a fan for life,” Robinson said as he pointed directly at Thomasʼ heart. “I love his game. If he were to go up against any guard in the League right now, Iʼm picking Isaiah. If Iʼm going to war, Iʼm picking him to go with me.”

That is the kind of love that Robinson has for the scrappy point guard from Tacoma, WA, who he calls his “little bro.” As the two sit next to each other in Robinsonʼs upscale Eastside home, the bond is evident. Thomas, dressed in all black, touting an Oakland Raiders beanie, has a tough demeanor like any good point guard should. You can tell he has that playground savvy, that “me against the world” mentality.

He doesnʼt want to smile, but he canʼt help himself while “big bro” sits next to him.

Robinson never stops laughing or telling stories. He only gets serious when he talks about why Thomas will make it in the NBA and the relationship the two have.

A certain glow radiates from Thomas as he speaks about Robinson and the impact he has had on his life. Not only has he taught him how to be acrobatic around the rim, but also how to be a better man and father. As they work on their game every day, it is more than just step-backs and crossovers that Robinson teaches—it’s life lessons. Being a young father and playing in the NBA is tough, but luckily for Thomas, he has the perfect teacher.

“I look up to him in so many ways he doesnʼt even know,” Thomas said. “Itʼs a blessing from God to have somebody like him. Somebody I can learn new things from every day.”

The two men feed off each other. Doubt and criticism drive their motivation, as they look to erase the word “canʼt” from the basketball dictionary. There is an unspoken connection that runs deeper than the human eye can see. More than just love for a common game. While the ball and the hoop might bring them together, it is loyalty and respect that keep them together.

The comparisons on the court are undeniable. Both are undersized guards—Thomas stands around 5-9 and Robinson around 5-8. Both played at UW and are icons in the state of Washington. Both play with reckless abandon and arenʼt afraid to go at anyone in the League (ask JR Smith or Carmelo Anthony). The comparisons on the court are endless, but each man has his own identity and is continuously learning from the otherʼs personality.

“Nate is the type of guy you want to be around all the time,” Thomas said. “ His energy just rubs off on you. He is like a little kid. I am around him all the time because Iʻm never bored with him.”

Robinson never had a big brother; he was the big brother. Raised by a single mom, he learned to be a man the only way he could—from his mother. He was drafted 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns in 2005 and immediately traded to the Knicks. In a big city, with a new lifestyle and no place to live, Robinson was a little lost. Thatʼs when friend and mentor Jamal Crawford, who Robinson went to high school with and idolized since the eighth grade, took him in and showed him the ropes.

“Man that early part in New York I was living with Jamal,” Robinson said. “He told me, ʻMy house is your house.ʼ He taught me how to ﬂy out there and Iʼve been ﬂying ever since. Thatʼs what Iʼm trying to do for Isaiah.”

That “my house is your house mantra” is something Robinson repeatedly tells Thomas every time the young guard asks to come over. The door is always open at the Robinson household and Thomas is more than happy to be a ﬁxture on the couch.

Whether it is to get some shots up or play with the kids, the two men are family in every sense of the word, and family is there through thick and thin. Like Thomas’ sophomore year when he seemingly couldnʼt do anything right for a struggling UW team. Coach Lorenzo Romar was angry with him, the team was losing and he was frustrated. The weight of the state was on his back and the criticism wouldnʼt stop. He picked up the phone and called the only man who he knew could help—his big bro.

“I told him just to do him,” Robinson said. “Just go out there and hoop and let them see what you can do. Everything else is out of your control.”

Thomas went on to help lead UW to a Pac-10 championship and a Sweet 16 berth.

One of the many things Thomas has picked up from his mentor is something both guards refer to as the “cutthroat” mentality. For them, being cutthroat is not just an attitude they have when they step on the court, it is a way of life.

“The ﬁrst thing Nate told me was not to let anybody in the League come at me ﬁrst,” Thomas said. “I got to go at them ﬁrst. I will be playing against Chris Paul and Deron Williams and I am going to go at them. Thatʼs the only way they will know the young fella is ready.”

Thomas, the last pick in the 2011 Draft, has a list he keeps with him called “The Cutthroat List.” On it are the names of every guard taken before him in this yearʼs Draft. He says every time he plays somebody on that list he will go at them as hard as he can no matter the situation. Robinson slowly nods his head as Thomas speaks of the list and the mentality, almost as father approving his sonʼs ﬁrst ﬁght.

“I watched the Draft and every pick go by,” Robinson said. “For him it will make a great story. Heʼs going to show the world. Respect is earned and he will make people respect him.”

You can see the ﬁre in Thomasʼ eyes when he talks about being the last pick in the Draft. It burns, deep. His face tenses up and that playground scowl comes out as he explains the “longest day of my life,” and how much it hurt. Quickly he catches himself, as if he knows everybody will soon see what they passed on.

“I am just blessed to have my name called,” he says. “Nobody has ever given me a chance in life and [Sacramento] gave me a chance.”

Both men look at each other and grin sheepishly, nodding their heads again in what seems like perfect unison. Nobody gave either of them a chance and through that common ground they have bonded over more than just basketball. Their friendship has grown into a brotherhood that will last a lifetime.

When asked what their relationship will look like in 30 years, Robinson doesnʼt hesitate to answer. “You ever seen the movie LIFE?” he says. “We are going to be like Claude and Ray, old as hell on the front porch, grandkids running around, talking about when we used to play.”

Born in Staten Island but raised in the city of rain, Seattle, WA, Tyler Richardson grew up watching Gary Payton, Mark Jackson, Kevin Johnson and John Starks. He plans to cover the Sonics as they make their triumphant return to the 206.

The post A Bond Unbroken appeared first on SLAM.