When Nate Robinson arrived to play with the New York Knicks in 2005, you couldn’t wipe the childlike grin off his face all season long.
No one gave him a shot to make it to the NBA, yet here he was coming off the bench for Larry Brown (and later Isiah Thomas) and putting up some decent numbers. In four seasons with the Knicks, Robinson averaged double-digits off the bench for the Knicks and averaged 17.2 points in 29.9 minutes during his 2008-09 year. That was his best season as a pro. That was also 3 Slam Dunk titles and three NBA teams ago. Make that four, with Robinson nearing a deal with the Golden State Warriors.
Over the last few weeks, Robinson has talked about his desire to change and distance himself from being labeled an “act” around the league. He said he’s matured. And while his time spent with Boston and Oklahoma City didn’t help his NBA stock, the Warriors are taking a chance on Robinson for one major reason: they could sure use some scoring off the bench.
If head coach Mark Jackson can help re-focus the energetic point guard and get him to see this might actually be his last go around in the league, Golden State’s free agent signing of Robinson could be a steal. Reuniting with David Lee — who was also a rookie with the Knicks — will also help ease Robinson into the Warriors’ locker room and overall team chemistry. Besides, maybe Robinson really has grown.
The Warriors are expected to make the Robinson signing official in the next two days and just in time too: Golden State faces upcoming games against the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz and Miami Heat.
Jamison Wants To Finish Career With Charlotte?
If Antawn Jamison plays two or three more years in the league, there’s a good chance it could be with the Charlotte Bobcats.
A 14-year NBA veteran now playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jamison grew up in Charlotte and will become a free agent after this season. He told the Charlotte Observer on Tuesday that “he’d give every consideration to signing with the Bobcats” before retiring from the game.
The two-time All-Star won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award back in 2004 and this season with the Cavs is is averaging 16.8 points and 4.8 rebounds. The Bobcats could use those kind of numbers.
“That’s always been a dream of mine – to be home” for the conclusion of his career, Jamison said. “To have my parents there (at home games), to have my kids there.” Certainly Jamison’s North Carolina ties helps put him in Michael Jordan’s good graces. Another strong benefit:
Charlotte will have around $20 million in salary-cap space next summer.
Finding The Story Behind Hilton Armstrong And The Clippers
You might have heard or read that Hilton Armstrong — the 6-foot-11 power forward and center who played with New Orleans, Sacramento, Houston, Washington and Atlanta — worked out for the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday as part of a free agent foursome that included Solomon Jones, DJ Mbenga, Dan Gadzuric, and Armstrong.
No big deal, right? Guess that depends on if Armstrong is still under contract with ASVEL in France, where he signed to play during the NBA lockout, and if the team was approving of the session.
He last played for ASVEL on December 27th and then returned home for the New Years holiday. He is averaging 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 13 French League games, and 6.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in Eurocup play for ASVEL. The team – who boasts Tony Parker as their VP of Basketball Operations and had the services of both Parker and Ronny Turiaf during the lockout – next play on January 14 versus Dijon. All that remains is the unknown if Armstrong will return to play for ASVEL or if he will go the route of Acie Law, who decided not to return to Serbia this week after a homecoming trip to the States.
Armstrong working out for the Clippers raises the red flag. Both emails to ASVEL’s team representatives and Armstrong’s reps (Excel Sports) have gone unreturned at the time of this posting.
Maybe Tony Parker can be of some help.
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