So it turns out Thomas Robinson can play.

[Further]

In 17 minutes he scored 15 on 6 of 9, grabbed 8 boards and played some D, getting a steal and a block in the process. Snagging this guy could end up being one of the all time best freebees if he continues to improve. Exactly what this team needed. The win would certainly be a loss without him.

 

[B-Roy]

Playing time is an issue though. I still don't see him as a major player until Aldridge leaves/traded but I would like to hold onto him for the near future.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Reminds me of rookie year Cliff Robinson. I hope he improves in much the same way that Cliffy did.

 

[Shooter]

He looked good tonight. Hopefully this game will give him a big dose of self-confidence.

He was our leading scorer in only 17 minutes of play.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Playing time is an issue though. I still don't see him as a major player until Aldridge leaves/traded but I would like to hold onto him for the near future.

The more rest he can give Aldridge, the better.

I'm not sold yet on T-Rob but like the potential.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I don't know if he can play yet or not, but he's got a shit-ton of raw material to work with ... trouble is though you have to emphasize "raw."

 

[Sinobas]

Who knew a guy could score 15 points, grab 7 rebounds, and miss 26 free throws in 15 minutes? And I don't really think playing time will be an issue. LA could stand to play less minutes. I think it's good to play your starers less so they can play harder.

 

[Drttimmy]

Reminds me of rookie year Cliff Robinson. I hope he improves in much the same way that Cliffy did.

I was thinking about a player comparison, and I think Jerome Kersey is a status he should reach for. Similar height and athletes, games revolve largely around effort. Jerome sucked at free throws, too!

 

[MadeFromDust]

He doesn't seem to have a great BBIQ but you can't complain about his heart and energy.

 

[maxiep]

If Robinson finds himself deserving of more minutes, I'm sure Stotts will find a way to play Robinson and Aldridge together.

 

[Natebishop3]

He doesn't seem to have a great BBIQ but you can't complain about his heart and energy.

I don't agree. I think he tries too hard. He just needs minutes and he needs confidence. He desperately needs a good coach.

 

[Yoda_of_the_MODA]

I was thinking about a player comparison, and I think Jerome Kersey is a status he should reach for. Similar height and athletes, games revolve largely around effort. Jerome sucked at free throws, too!

Kersey is a great comparison, but I don't see Robinson having the outside shot and ballhandling skills of Kersey. A poor man's Kersey as a stretch 4 is a good goal for him, though.

Repped

EDIT - You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Drttimmy again.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Nicolas Batum ‏@nicolas88batum

Game ball goes to @Trobinson0! He just saved the day!

 

[-Ace-]

MB compared him to a nanny rapist.

 

[Nikolokolus]

MB compared him to a nanny rapist.

Ruben was just misunderstood.

 

[Natebishop3]

MB compared him to a nanny rapist.

It's not a bad comparison, in terms of how they play. Ruben was a better defender though.

 

[-Ace-]

Another difference being different positions. You won't see T-Rob as a Kobestopper.

 

[Natebishop3]

Another difference being different positions. You won't see T-Rob as a Kobestopper.

These days he might be a Kobe stopper

 

[Pinwheel1]

I don't agree. I think he tries too hard. He just needs minutes and he needs confidence. He desperately needs a good coach.

Yeah not sure where people are coming up with the poor BBIQ thing. Just because he makes too many turnover, does't mean he does not understand the game. Did you see him on the bench during the timeout late in the 4th advising Batum? And Nic was listening. Anyway he has work to do with his passing, but I agree the more he plays the more confident he looks. He understands the game just fine.

 

[-Ace-]

These days he might be a Kobe stopper

You might be right!

 

[Rhal]

Yeah not sure where people are coming up with the poor BBIQ thing. Just because he makes too many turnover, does't mean he does not understand the game. Did you see him on the bench during the timeout late in the 4th advising Batum? And Nic was listening. Anyway he has work to do with his passing, but I agree the more he plays the more confident he looks. He understands the game just fine.

Thats one thing that really stood out to me. Not only was Nic listening but he waived off someone else trying to talk to him so he could really pay attention.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Yeah not sure where people are coming up with the poor BBIQ thing. Just because he is makes too many turnover, does't mean he plays stupid. If that was the criteria then the list would be long. Did you see him on the bench during the timeout late in the 4th advising Batum? And Nic was listening. Anyway he has work to do with his passing, but the more he plays the more confident he looks. He understands the game just fine.

Depends on your definition of BBIQ. Robinson is pretty erratic and either fundamentally unsound or undisciplined a lot of the time (failing to box out against the Pistons, trying to dribble the ball up the court like he's a guard, lack of focus on free throws, etc.) which is one way of looking at it. But I don't think he's stupid by any means, I just think he forgets that he's not at KU anymore and doesn't have to try and do it all at once and all by himself. If he ever learns how to harness all of that freak athleticism, strength and midrange shot and distill it into something reliable I think he could end up a very good power forward.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah not sure where people are coming up with the poor BBIQ thing. Just because he makes too many turnover, does't mean he does not understand the game. Did you see him on the bench during the timeout late in the 4th advising Batum? And Nic was listening. Anyway he has work to do with his passing, but I agree the more he plays the more confident he looks. He understands the game just fine.

He has good vision too. I've seen him make some really nice passes. I just think it all comes down to slowing down, taking his time, and letting the game come to him. I think he will get better with more PT and more coaching.

 

[Public Defender]

I hope he can be more of a team player than Ruben Patterson was. Patterson was the original "black hole" on offense. Balls went in, they never came out. Obviously, I wouldn't want T-Rob to have any of Patterson's off-court penchant for assaults of various kinds.

But if Robinson can have the hustle, defense, and fearlessness around the basket that Patterson had without the downside I'm all for a bigger, more athletic RP, by the name of Thomas Robinson.

 

[Yoda_of_the_MODA]

If he ever learns how to harness all of that freak athleticism, strength and midrange shot and distill it into something reliable I think he could end up a very good power forward.

I still think the best case for him is a smaller PF like Faried or Hickson. A guy who can give you great hustle and rebounding, but is always going to have the size issue, as well as the skill issue. Still, getting a Faried or a Hickson and bringing him off of the bench is what championship teams have, in some cases.

 

[Natebishop3]

I still think the best case for him is a smaller PF like Faried or Hickson. A guy who can give you great hustle and rebounding, but is always going to have the size issue, as well as the skill issue. Still, getting a Faried or a Hickson and bringing him off of the bench is what championship teams have, in some cases.

And I'm totally fine with that. Hell, I'd love it if he was an enforcer for us.

 

[Pinwheel1]

He has good vision too. I've seen him make some really nice passes. I just think it all comes down to slowing down, taking his time, and letting the game come to him. I think he will get better with more PT and more coaching.

Absolutely agree. He was rushing everything on offense. Tonight it seemed like the game slowed down for him. He is only going to get better. But I am sure we will see a lot of bad games too.

 

[Natebishop3]

Absolutely agree. He was rushing everything on offense. Tonight it seemed like the game slowed down for him. He is only going to get better. But I am sure we will see a lot of bad games too.

I think it will change for him once he starts installing some actual post moves into his arsenal. I've seen him get the ball, in good position, but he isn't sure what to do with it. He even has the quickness to get by his man, but he doesn't have a fadeaway or a hook or anything that he can go to. Giving him some actual moves will help give him confidence, help him calm down a bit, and hopefully rein him in a bit.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

On the strength of last night's game, his PER jumped up to 16.9 for the season. Got to love those early season statistical swings.

 

[magnifier661]

Absolutely agree. He was rushing everything on offense. Tonight it seemed like the game slowed down for him. He is only going to get better. But I am sure we will see a lot of bad games too.

Maybe playing against his buddy Morris had something to do with it?