Thomas Robinson: It's not personal, he's just playing basketball.

By Nathan Bishop

For the past few months we have all heard the story about Thomas Robinson. Dealt two times before he had even started his second season as a pro, and with many people doubting him, Robinson is facing some serious questions about his ability to contribute in the NBA. On Sunday the former fifth pick in the 2012 draft was given the starting nod in place of injured All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge in the Blazers 109-105 victory over the Sacramento Kings. This was a chance for Robinson to not just show his new team what he can do, but also to show his former team, the team that drafted him, what they’re missing out on. Revenge is a dish best served cold.

“It was good,” Robinson said. “I wasn’t taking anything personal. I was just trying to work on the stuff that coach has been preaching to me all preseason.” Though he might say it wasn’t anything personal, Robinson played like a man on a mission, scoring 14 points off 6-8 shooting and grabbing 8 boards in 24 minutes. The defining moment of the night for Robinson came on a sick putback jam over the back of teammate Robin Lopez. It was the exclamation point to a game that saw a couple sweet passes, only one personal foul, and zero turnovers for the big man from Kansas University.

Coach Terry Stotts was very pleased with what he saw from his young forward. ”I was glad he came out and played well. In the first half he established himself, and in the second half as well, he was effective. I thought he made a couple good passes, which I was glad to see, and I’m happy that he had a good game against his former team.” The most impressive aspect of Robinson’s game against Sacramento was how in control he played. Zero turnovers and only one foul for the young big man. He had a sweet behind-the-back pass to Damian Lillard on a fast break that led to a wide open three pointer for Lillard. He also zipped a pass to Robin Lopez for an easy dunk, which shows that he is looking for the open man rather than forcing things.

One of his biggest faults so far has been trying to do too much. Robinson has had a tendency to play outside of his strengths, which had been getting him into trouble. He had three turnovers and four personal fouls against the Jazz on the 11th, and another two turnovers and four fouls against the Clippers on Friday night, so to put up zero turnovers and only one foul against the Kings was impressive, and cause for encouragement. “Coach Vanterpool was telling me, I’m an average player when I think, and above average when I’m just playing basketball,” Robinson admitted. “Wes had a talk with me also, when we were in LA. So these guys, they’re helping me. I feel more comfortable. They pinpoint what I’m doing wrong and I just watch tape and get better… I was thinking and not playing. When I think too much, it’s not a good sight.”

He definitely looked more comfortable against the Kings than he had in the previous five games of the preseason. He had been rebounding well, but his shot simply wasn't falling. He was a combined 7-21 from the field until last night, so to shoot 6-8 was a definite positive for Robinson. “I was just trying to work on the stuff that coach has been preaching to me all preseason,” he said. “I did those things and everything else came. It helped that I hit my first three shots, so that had a lot to do with it.”

Having Robinson on the bench waiting to step in when Aldridge needs a break is a huge advantage for the Blazers this season. He is just one part of a vastly improved second unit that must have Coach Stotts grinning from ear to ear. The Blazers bench is so deep this season, moving Robinson to the starting unit didn't even phase them. Joel Freeland took over as the backup four, and finished with a solid game against the Kings with 7 points off 3-6 shooting and 9 boards. The addition of Robinson, Dorrell Wright, Mo Williams, and the improved play of Joel Freeland have given the Blazers a very potent bench, which will help put them in the position to make the playoffs for the first time since Brandon Roy left the team. It will be interesting to see how Robinson progresses as the season wears on.

 

Blazers credentialed Sly and I for last night's game.

This is what I wrote. Sly will be posting something as well.

 

You'll get a job offer with journalism like that.

 

Got a draft of SPDs article.

Blazers good.
Beer was overpriced.
We can go 18-0.
Fin.

 

Excellent job!

 

Very nice writeup Nate. You could take over for those hacks at ESPN with well written pieces like that.


Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

Excellent write-up. Enjoyed the read.

 

Wow I actually thought I was reading freeman or something! That's a great write up Nate! Awesome!

 

It didn't have the need to stir things up.

 

Nice piece, Nate.

 

Well done.

 

Very professional. Good job.

 

Wait, so you had access to the locker room for quotes?

If so, can you give us insight into the general morale/attitude in there, compared to what you saw in when you covered the team previously

 

No locker room access just yet. Only access to the coach's press conference. Had to use the quotes provided by the Blazers for TRob.

 

Poor job. Where are the quotes from my posts?

 

I have a feeling that T rob will be my favorite bench player this season. I think he has the most potential to be a difference maker off the bench.

 

Excellent article. I was also thinking how much I enjoyed reading this over anything i have seen in the Oregonian in years. As a matter of fact, i have refused to even open an online article from the Oregonian, because the writing is so poor.