Guard Nate Robinson finds a home at Golden State
By Bi Yu
1/11/12 Oakland, Calif. -- The newest Warrior, Nate Robinson, had been getting the run around over the past year; going from Boston to Oklahoma City then landing in Golden State a week ago. Robinson is familiar with the Bay with his family roots in Oakland. He even attended James Logan High School in Union City for his junior year, before he went back to Rainier High School in Seattle to graduate as a three sport student-athlete in basketball, football and track.
"Everybody on my Dad's side of the family lives here in Oakland," Robinson admitted. "This is my second home."
He seemed right at home last night in the 111-106 win over the Miami Heat (8-2) , Robinson was the fan favorite catching fire to score 17 points in the forth and overtime periods. He finished with a team-high 24 points to go with 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals in his third game as a Warrior.
Last season he started in Boston where he played 55 games for the Celtics averaging 7 points in 18 minutes a game. Toward the end of the season he was traded to the Thunder where he averaged 3.3 points and 1.5 assists in 7.5 minutes over 7 games to finish the season and playoffs. The Thunder released him Christmas Eve and the Warriors (4-7) picked him up in time to play in the Los Angeles Lakers game January 6th.
Robinson who was used to playing over 20-minutes a game in New York in his first four-and-a-half years. now has been in three cities in the last year. Once he moved to Boston his minutes got cut and his production slumped.
"He's been a find for us and has done everything I've asked him to do," first-year Head Coach Mark Jackson said. "We are very fortunate to have him and we don't win that game last night without him."
Robinson who may best be know for dunking over Dwight Howard to win the NBA Slam Dunk contest was "KryptoNate" to Superman. Robinson, the 5-10 guard, is actually the only player to win three NBA dunk titles. At first outsiders were not really sold on the aquisition of Robinson, who is another small guard for the Warriors.
Although Monte Ellis (23.9 ppg. and 7.5 apg.) and Stephen Curry (15.2 ppg. and 7.5 apg.) do make one of the leagues' most formitable back courts, their size can be a defensive liability. With Curry's ankle injury the injection of Robinson has brought energy and lifted the spirits.
This move can be looked at as a band-aid while Curry is out, or a way to provide some more bench scoring even when Curry gets back. The length of Robinson's stay will depend on how Jackson utilizes him and how Robinson responds and performs.
"It's already written in the book how my life is going to pan out.," Robinson stated. "Now I'm here and its a new chapter."
Robinson and the Warriors face Howard and the Orlando Magic (7-3) tomorrow in Oakland for another test against an elite team. Golden State has beaten Chicago, New York and Miami so far.
After leading the Warriors to a win from a 17-point deficit to Miami; Robinson is glad Golden State has given him another chance to showcase his talents in a familiar environment.
"One thing my Mother always told me is that you have to utilize the gift that God gives you," Robinson shared. "When you don't work hard he takes blessing away... It's easy to quit. It's harder to keep going."
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