"Nate is pure energy, man, I said it from Day 1, since he has been here. We hated to lose E. House but not only is [Robinson] pure energy, he's good energy. He's almost like fresh air. He fits right in with our team, he's unselfish. We all knew he could play, but his personality is what stands out most about him - very respectable person, very high energy. And, like I said, I love the way he plays. We love the way he comes out and just puts it all on the floor.''-- Kevin Garnett

Nate Robinson is not Eddie House.  Nate Robinson is not Stephon Marbury.  But, the Celtics are thrilled that Nate Robinson is Nate Robinson and Doc Rivers has been very smart and flexible in learning how to use the guards considerable talent and energy.  When we lost to the Celtics a few days ago, we witnessed Doc's willingness to put faith in Robinson in his first game as a Celtic.  He kept Nate in the rotation late in the contest although Nate was not having a great game.  It was clear that he intended Nate to be more than a novelty act.

Doc confirmed the importance of the Nate trade to the Celtics when he approached the guard to have him teach the team a play the Knicks used to get Nate going.  Not only did Doc treat Nate as though he wanted him on the team, he immediately gave Robinson a leadership role by delegating responsibility to him to teach and interact with his teammates.  Just brilliant coaching and leadership by Doc who clearly understands the importance of delegation and the need for players to have an affinity (not necessarily like) for each other.

The result was two consecutive victories in which Nate reprised his spark plug role with the Knicks, except that he was not thrown in to overcome double digit deficits.

Garnett, the team leader just loves the possibilities with Nate.

"He's the reason, really, why we turned the corner like we did,'' Garnett said of Robinson's performance. "I think he took the momentum himself and just ran with it. We were talking about the possibilities of what this could be with him, especially with he and [Rajon] Rondo on the court. Defensively, that's going to be hell for opposing guards bringing the ball up. So, Nate's a blessing in disguise for our team and we're glad to have him.''

In response to the love, Nate said:

"They made it easy for me, welcomed me with open arms, just to play my game. It's always good to have KG, Paul [Pierce], Ray [Allen], Rondo, and all the guys tell me just play your game and we're going to get it on the defensive end. The first couple times [playing in the TD Garden] I was kind of nervous, I'm used to being on the other side. So, it's always been that rivalry, Boston-New York. Being here, it's definitely easier for me, the fans welcomed me with open arms.

Beyond the court, Celtics fans are also getting juiced about the possibilities.  In Pure Energy, the Celtics Blog wrote:

Still, if Nate can keep up something close to this kind of production shooting the ball (53% from 3 point range), nobody is going to miss Eddie House's production.

Meanwhile, some New York fans turn their positive vibes and dreams to the knees of  sky-jumper Bill Walker who has had two career scoring nights in a row for a team out of the playoff picture. And the New York press with their laudable (or is that laughable) professionalism continue to refer to Nate with the great disrespect they feel compelled to heap on a player from their lofty perch.  In one of his latest tweets, Newsday scribe Alan Hahn swung at Nate with some slapstick humor when he opined  " alanhahn He's like 25 Cent. RT @starox: @alanhahn Nate Robinson also looks like a tiny 50 Cent."  Hahn's buddy Frank Isola apparently couldn't let go of his hater-mosity towards Nate¹ when he recently wrote "And all this time we didn't think 'Lil Him was paying attention when D'Antoni was coaching" in reference to Nate teaching a play to the Celtics.

As I have been saying for over a year, I am happy that Nate is finally somewhere where his talents and constant effort will be appreciated.

_____________________________________

¹I find it amazing that writers dare to make a distinction between the professionalism of bloggers and journalists.  It's all the same and journalists set the tone and the standards or lack thereof.

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For The Fanatic In You:

1

March 04, 2010

T'man: The long shot

Daily News,
With about $25 million available this summer in cap space, Prokhorov is expected to write big checks for free agents. Team executives are realistic; they don't think they can get James or any of the other marquee free agents the Knicks will be courting. That's the problem when you can't offer free agents the chance to play in a new, shiny basketball palace in Brooklyn right away.

"I think it's a really, really good franchise," James said. "They've got a bright future, and we'll see what goes on in the future for this team."

I wonder if J.Z is a Yankee fan too?Bizness partners should have stuff to share

2

March 04, 2010

T'man: and, I didn't write this...

' James fancies himself as sports' next business mogul. Already earning nearly $30 million annually in endorsements, he gets financial advice from Warren Buffett and has his own firms handling all of his business and marketing ventures. He is LeBron Inc., with dreams of taking his brand globally.

But to do that to its fullest, he should play in the New York area, according to some experts. Steve Rosner, co-founder of 16W Marketing based in East Rutherford, said James can sell plenty of sneakers from Cleveland. But he can become a tycoon playing in New York.

"If he would come to either the Nets or the Knicks the business opportunities for him to continue to grow his brand would be much greater in a metropolitan area as opposed to Cleveland," Rosner said. "Endorsements can always find where he lives, but living here and being the face of the franchise will give him the opportunity to enter into the type of discussions that might not be available in Cleveland."

That might sound like arrogant New Yorker talk. But Brandon Steiner of Steiner Sports thinks James never will reach his economic potential until he plays in a metropolitan area.

"If he stays in Cleveland, is he ever going to get his due being in a small market?" asked Steiner, who works with 5,000 professional athletes nationwide. "Is he ever going to get what he's owed being a true mega-star without playing in a major market? New York is really the only major market that has room for him."

James didn't say anything about his impending free agency last night, but had kind words for the Nets. "I think it's a really good franchise," he said. "They've got a bright future. We'll see what goes on in the future for this team."

Whether that future includes James is doubtful unless his friend and Nets part owner Jay-Z can convince him there are benefits to playing here beyond basketball.

"This is the business capital of the world, and there's more international business done out of New York than Cleveland or any other market in the NBA," Rosner said. "It's short-sided to think only about his endorsement portfolio. Those people will always find him. But his business portfolio has the potential to expand enormously if he's in this environment full time."

The economic impact James would have in the metropolitan area would fatten a lot of wallets besides his own. Greater attendance means more people in the restaurants and bars before and after games; jerseys and sneaker sales would reach new highs in area sporting-goods stores, and television ratings for MSG or YES would lead to more advertising revenue.

"I have this argument almost every day," Steiner said. "Someone says, 'There's no way we're getting LeBron.' I tell them, 'I don't see how we can afford not to.' There's such an upside. I sit with my fingers crossed. This kind of thing would be humongous."

In the past, James has said the ability to win a championship would be a priority in his decision-making, something that likely isn't a realistic possibility immediately should he sign with the Knicks or the Nets. Maybe he'll settle for being king of the business world first.

george.willis@nypost.com

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/ business_pitch_could_lure_lebron_oQpNihotsmNbpZixLmW4dM
#ixzz0hDR3L4ou

3

March 04, 2010

Statesman2: Winning is the Goal

Fanatics,

It is good to see N8 received by his new team, but I do believe it is too early in the relationship for the Celts to fall in love. It is extremely difficult to objectively judge someone on the first date(see McGrady), or during the infatuation period. The true test of a relationship is when the tough times, (playoffs) kick in. The NBA transitions into a half-court game during the playoffs, and that is when N8’s game shines the least. Due to his size he has a difficult time feeding the post, his defense becomes a liability, and he is prone to take shots outside of the offense. I wish N8 well, but the jury is still out.

Donnie Walsh, (Part 1)

Successful Gms possess multiple skill sets. They must be proficient in the draft, with trades, and free agent signings. Mastering one skill does not lead to success. In fact, it is more difficult to CREATE success than it is to MAINTAIN success if your operation is linear. Should a GM be congratulated for accomplishing one side of the ledger, while totally blowing the other side? Is having a goal of only clearing cap-space while losing and lowering the talent level prudent? Can a GM clear cap space draft well, or are these two mutually exclusive?

Joe Dumars made some good trades,(both Wallaces & RIP), some good free-agent signings(Billups), but has never done well with the draft. The Pistons continue to suffer the consequences of selecting the “Euro-In Demand“ Darko, over Carmelo, Wade & Bosh. This illustrates that a GM must possess a variety of skill sets. The GM can not excel in one area while failing in another and maintain long-term success. You can be successful for a period of time, but successful draft choices, combined with good trades, and free-agent signings is what build long-term successful organizations. Most people point to the Celts acquiring KG & Ray Allen as their turning point, but few remember the Celts drafted Perice, Rondo, Perkins, & Big Baby, all key components to their success.

Donnie’s strategy is new and out of the box. Being innovative is not the Donnie Walsh from the Indian Pacers. Did it take Donnie turning 70 to become innovative, or is he the guy at the casino playing the slots and telling you that there is a strategy to pulling the lever. Donnie has to know in the long-run the house wins.

Peace & Blessings

4

March 04, 2010

Peaceman: ...

I'm happy for Nate, however, he will always be a Knick, just like Balkman who recently returned from injury to Denver.
When I think of Doc Rivers, I think of him as a Knick, not a Hawk!

5

March 05, 2010

Peaceman: ...

Thanks to Tommy Dees fro the Knicks Blog for remembering the 20 year anniversary of Hank Gathers Death after a Thunder Dunk before the Big Dance. Here is a different videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cE8ManzSzc

6

March 05, 2010

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