Just for something to fill the time in the offseason ... click link in the tweet for video. thomas robinson @Trobinson0 db.tt/4Z9kkCFA s/o to the chi leaque !!!
The video was fun to watch. Unfortunately, Robinson was playing like a guard so it doesn't show much of what he'll do for us.
While I agree I don't want to see Robinson doing that (at least not much) when he's playing for us, it's still a nice skill to have - I mean, dribbling is a fundamental. Also, I do not think LMA could dribble that well in an empty gym. So, no, not every PF has that ability. Also, also, during other players highlights I noticed that Robinson was often either under the hoop for offensive rebounds, or was zipping passes to the player being featured. Yes, I understand that very little defense was being played - but again, it shows that he has some level of ability in the areas of dribbling and passing, and that when he doesn't have the ball he's going to be working the o-boards.
If all Robinson does is rebound like a maniac and play some physical defense, he'll be a huge steal. Seting a nice pick every now and then would be nice, too. And, he has the potential to eventually do much more, but that potential will only be realized with in game experience. If I was Stotts, I'd tell him to do what he did in SLC - rebound the fuck out of the ball, and you'll earn plenty of PT. Seriously, if you're a bench player and do one thing exceptionally well, you'll get plenty of PT. Coaches love bench players who hustle and do the dirty work and guys who come in and dominate on the boards are viewed as the ultimate hustle/energy guys. All TRob needs to do to get the bulk of our big man bench minutes is prove he's a consistently better rebounder than Meyers Leonard and Joel Freeland. The minutes are there and we now have plenty of other scoring options off the bench (CJ, Wright, Mo, etc.). What we need is rebounding, which happens to be TRob's speciality. BNM
If we want a high-scoring PF, Robinson looks to have many more moves than Aldridge. But I want a traditional PF who leaves the scoring to others.
The good news is that if TRob starts by rebounding and defending and then develops the other stuff he could do both or either when needed as opposed to doing it the other direction seems to be much harder for players to do.
Agreed. But he has to prove those moves on the NBA court. Also agreed. I don't want him to try to prove those moves right off the bat. I want him to rebound, defend, and when it's there roll to the hoop for dunks. Fortunately I think he understands where he is in the pecking order and he seems like the sort of guy who can and will come in and make "hustle" his primary game. If Mo likes what he sees from him during practices then he'll integrate him into the offense.
I'm just glad the video said Niggger over and over again instead of something truly offensive like "No Homo" or these boards would have gone wild! More seriously, TRob has all sorts of skills. By focusing on rebounding first and getting a comfort level on the court he'll pave the way for the other stuff. Very excited we got him.
Yep, the rebounding, defense and hustle will earn him the PT he needs to gradually develop his other skills. He was a steal, thanks to Houston needing to clear cap space for Dwight. It was like getting another lottery pick for free - and at a position of need, no less. I liked his attitude and work ethic during summer league. He's not making excuses or blaming others for what happened last year. He knows he needs to get better and seems determined to do so. He's going to be a fun guy to cheer for. Thomas Robinson, clap, clap, clapclapclap! BNM
Lamarcus Aldridge has been a HORRIBLE ballhandler (just now developing a face up off the dribble game) who has never had a left hand. #truth
