Mike Rice @mikerice6 12m "@JasonMCobb: @mikerice6 @Trobinson0 reminds me a lot of Otis Thorpe. Do you see the resemblance?"good comparison I like this way better than the Evans comparison. So we have a Buck Williams and an Otis Thorpe comparison. I'll take that any day
OK, I have nothing wrong with that train of thought. But the fact two teams basically let him go has to factor into his analysis, somewhere, does't it? I know the Kings haven't made the best decisions, but they have had the best opportunity to evaluate him. Given the way they have dealt with Cousins, if Sac thought he had talent, even if head case, they would have kept him. Doesn't automatically mean T-Rob can't develop into something special, but is at least a factor to consider. Houston does it to get Dwight, what team wouldn't? But Houston made it known early they were shopping T-Rob (really showing little interest in him after getting a chance to evaluate him, they traded T_Rob with no guarantee Howard goes to Houston). But more telling to me is the best Houston could get was 2 2nd round picks. Doesn't seem like there was much of a market for him. So while I'm excited about another young player joining the roster, I don't think the analysis of T-Rob should be the same as last year. A lot has happened in a year and to just label him as the #5 pick in a strong draft isn't putting realistic expectations on him, IMO.
However, I think the Kings had higher hopes for what kind of player they wanted him to be. Both in being more of a franchise importance player as well changing his game and making him into something that he isnt. The Blazers on the other hand do want want nor do I think expect him to be a franchise type player. And I also suspect that they arent going to try to make him a jump shooter. So as long as there is an understanding of what the Blazers really want and need out of him I think his chances for success are so much higher here than in Sac. And to me Houston almost doesnt count given they had him for half of his first season.
Trob can step right into hicksons role no prob, but better. Basically we have Hickson on the bench instead of as a starting center...which is a good thing imo
I agree that I think his highest chance for success is here. I also have hopes of him coming in and contributing early with some toughness. I just don't expect to see someone come in a make a big impact the way one would think a #5 pick in last year's draft would. I would be happy with 10-15 minutes of positive contribution (given rookie mistakes) . . . but for me, that isn't even a given.
Why? He was literally traded by two teams in the last year. Does that fact bother you a lot that you have to try and spin it?
I know Rice gets made fun of because he talks like he hides a bottle under the announcers table, but I think he tells it like he sees it. I hope his instincts are on, that'd be great.
TRob was the player I wanted us to draft after the Brow. I'm stocked we got him and I still expect big things. By the end of the year I think he could be one of our 5 best players and deserve so much playing time we play LaMarcus extended minutes at Center. With Thomas' rebounding and LaMarcus height we will have a heck of a lineup.
My only concern is that we haven't heard anything from him yet. I know they couldn't talk about it until yesterday, and he is probably making is plans to move out, but it would be nice to hear Robinson talk about his new team and how he is ready to beast it up.
I know you meant from him via say twitter or whatever but this is something I guess Trail Blazers @pdxtrailblazers 5m We'll be introducing our summer acquisitions (Lopez, Robinson, Wright, and Watson) today at 2 PM #RipCity Trail Blazers @pdxtrailblazers 5m The press conference will be streamed LIVE on http://trailblazers.com #RipCity
I'm not really going to discount his value much at all from the Kings trade; they had agreed on a price to sell the team but were still paying for operations so they wanted to do anything they could to save payroll dollars, talent be damned. They would've traded DeMarcus or Tyrke away if it also saved them a few million. I will agree the trade away from the Rockets is concerning since no other teams were offering more than us. I heard our Greek was worth a late first round pick and we gave salary relief so if you add those up with the other prospect and 2nd rounders perhaps thats worth a late teens 1st round pick? I'm hoping since his value had appeared artificially low in the Kings trade it caused all teams to be unnecessarily cautious. If it weren't for these trades I'd be doing absolute backflips over Thomas; as is I'll just be very happily optimistic with a tiny bit of celebratory restraint.
You give the Kings way too much credit. This is the team that waived JJ Hickson..... that means they got NOTHING for him. They also have an abundance of young post players. I really wouldn't give much credence to the Kings' talent evaluation. I also think you underestimate how sure the Rockets were that they were getting Dwight. It was pretty much a sure thing, and most people "in the know" said so from day one. Dude wanted out of LA and the Rockets presented the best option to win. Also, you said 2 second round picks was the best they could get.... that's what they wanted. They couldn't bring back anything in return. They needed the cap space.
Absolutely, Nate. If one makes the extreme argument that he was traded for a couple of 2nd rounders, another extreme argument could be made the other way... he was traded for Dwight Howard. The truth of course is somewhere in the middle. Two quick facts: Houston wanted to keep him. He's a high caliber NBA rebounder right now.
Mike Tokito @mtokito 3m W/Kings in Jan, Thomas Robinson had 12, 10 and 10 rebounds in consecutive games while playing 21, 13 and 24 minutes. #Blazers
Indeed; between March of 2011 and March of 2012, JJ Hickson played for Cleveland, Sacramento, and Portland. I think we can probably agree that Sacto is kind of lousy at evaluating and growing young talent. Thomas Robinson may end up being a limited player, a blunt instrument. But that doesn't mean he's not useful in the right situation. I see no reason not to go for it.
