So, the worst kept secret in Seattle was revealed yesterday as Nate declared his NBA intentions. I have no idea what our draft status is but we may have a chance since, despite a horrible final college game, it looks like he'll be late 1st, early 2nd. I'm sure he'll measure 5-6 when he gets to the pro's, his shot is still iffy and despite everyone talking about his unbelievable quickness I don't see him 'blowing by' guys off the dribble. Fast, yes, but breakdown off the dribble, I haven't seen it. Still, he's a tremendous athlete, can jump out of the gym, pressure the ball and occasionally knock it down. I think the scouts call him a 'tempo changer' Plus he is cocky as hell, which we could use on this team. Seeing as how AD is probably gone, we'd be in the market for a backup PG, albeit a 5-6 rookie.
Love him, and I know about as much about him as I do evil monkeys. Adam and Cas are the guys to see when it comes to N-Rob. It would be great for the fans though, the hometown kid who led Washington to 29 wins, and he's staying in Washington. It really depends on what's available though, someone will always slip to the mid 20s on draft day. Problem is, when you have a young point guard like Luke, you generally want his back-up to be a vet.
If we drafted Nate Robinson I would have an orgasm and then fall to the ground in convulsions. But moving past my schoolgirl crush on him... If we lose Flip and/or AD I don't see any reason why we wouldn't draft someone like Nate. Especially with his reputation in the Northwest. I know that his game won't translate to the NBA indentically but he will still bring an athletic explosive presence to the bench. He can knock down shots when prompted and would fit a bench role in the NBA perfectly as he is used to the team ball concept taught by Lorenzo Romar. Nate would be solid late round pick, no doubt.
Actually now that I think of it, is backcourt mate Conroy might not be a bad pick up as well. He really stepped up his game this past year, knocking down critical 3's, directing the team and playing in your grill defense. He doesn't have the athleticism, flash and ooh's that Nate does but he was our best guard this season, IMO. Not sure I'd use a draft pick on him, maybe late 2nd and certainly give him a free agent look.
Conroy should be in that batch of guys who will either be picked in the 40s and 50s or undrafted, and will be playing for their NBA chances in the summer league. There usually are plenty of point guards around at that point, and a local kid is as good as any.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">At 2 p.m. yesterday, Nate Robinson said he would forgo his senior year at the University of Washington and make himself available to the society of professional hoopsters. We can only assume frantic activity ensued within the offices of the Seattle Sonics as the team's more cerebral types tried to locate a loophole in the NBA constitution that would allow them to bypass the June 28 draft formalities and sign Robinson immediately. Not that Robinson is necessarily the perfect fit for the Sonics of the future. "We've already got a five-footer," joked Sonics coach Nate McMillan, an apparent zinger of endearment toward 6-2 point guard Luke Ridnour. But Robinson is enticingly local. Figure a 15-minute drive from Edmundson Pavilion to KeyArena, tops. Twenty-five minutes if it's rush hour. With the black-and-blue Sonics down to fewer viable specimens than a frat-house refrigerator, McMillan would no doubt love to insert a sparkplug such as Robinson into his lineup. "I think he has a lot of heart," McMillan said, choosing words carefully so as not to verge into tampering. "He's done well at the University of Washington." But, let's face it, gang. As their remarkable season winds down and the playoffs loom, the Sonics are strictly, and maybe a little frighteningly, on their own. Hey, you knew they couldn't go the whole season without some bumps and bruises. It's part of the game.</div> Sonics could use Nate's Pep Found this article on the benefits of having Nate in the Gold & Green.
Nate has heart, and while it's somewhat of a cliche, it will generally take you a long way when you have it in droves. So many kids these days try to get back purely on natural talent or athleticism. They are the guys who get picked up early, because of potential, upside et al. However, Nate just has that amazing will to win, to succeed and get the absolute utmost out of himself. He will make it, because he is in the Earl Boykins mode in terms of attitude, work ethic and heart.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pwn3d!:</div><div class="quote_post">Nate has heart, and while it's somewhat of a cliche, it will generally take you a long way when you have it in droves. So many kids these days try to get back purely on natural talent or athleticism. They are the guys who get picked up early, because of potential, upside et al. However, Nate just has that amazing will to win, to succeed and get the absolute utmost out of himself. He will make it, because he is in the Earl Boykins mode in terms of attitude, work ethic and heart.</div> Remember, he played one year of major college football in arguably the mentally toughest position on the field, where you're hung out to dry all by your lonesome against the fastest guys out there. Nate wouldn't be intimidated even at 5-6 170lbs. I think that translates well to his play on the court - he doesnt back down from challenges, and even though he played horrible against Louisville (thanks to a bullshit call by refs ) Romar used to say the bigger the game the better he plays.
Take note; the kid who is under six feet has to work twice as hard as the kid who's 6'6. Twice as hard to get noticed, and twice as hard to be effective.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting d00d:</div><div class="quote_post">If we drafted Nate Robinson I would have an orgasm and then fall to the ground in convulsions.</div> That pretty much sums up my thoughts. His "will to win" is a little overrated, though. He'll do whatever it takes to win, but if he runs into some bad luck, he has a tendency to mope instead of playing harder. His shot and dribble are underrated, especially when you consider that he could barely shoot three years ago. If he improves even more, he'll be a deadly shooting threat. I've seen him pull off plenty of fancy street moves in person. He's never shown off his fancy dribbling in games for some reason. I think Nate's biggest asset is his strength. The dude is jacked. Up. He won't be pushed around by most point guards in the league.
Sorry folks, I can't get excited over a 5'7" two guard. I think that his biggest mistake wasn't putting his name into the NBA draft. It was not putting his name in the NFL draft. He could have had a wonderful football career. As Nate will find out, the NBA finds ways to weed out the players that don't belong. If you are going to be a 5'7" guard, you should be dominate in college. Nate had a good college career, but I don't think that he has the talent to have a long career at the next level. He is a whale of an athlete, but from my accounts he's a bit immature and a bit overrated. I wouldn't mind the Sonics drafting him though, as a late second round pick. I just wouldn't feel comfortable giving him a guaranteed contract. He would have to humble himself and earn a spot.
