*Official Summer League Thread*

metrocard

Legend
LAS VEGAS - Nate Robinson said he's not really a point guard and not really a shooting guard. So what is he?

"I consider myself a whatever-happens guard," he said yesterday.


His place in the Knicks' rotation is as unpredictable as his game, and that's why Robinson agreed to be part of the summer league team, which begins play here against Kevin Durant and the Seattle SuperSonics tonight at Cox Pavilion on the UNLV campus.

Robinson, who is heading into his third NBA season, won't say he feels pressure to show anything this week. But with a lot of guards on the roster in competition for playing time, Robinson's immediate future as a Knick seems to hinge on his ability to get his erratic game under control.

His offense has never been a problem, even with inconsistent playing time. Robinson averaged 10.1 points this past season and had seven 20-plus-point games despite averaging 21.2 minutes. He shot 43 percent from the floor and 39 percent from three-point range.

But he had only 90 assists (1.4 per game) with 72 turnovers (1.1 per game), which is a sign of his inability to control the ball and set up his teammates.

And the part of Robinson's game that needs the most improvement? "Decision-making for me, right now," the 5-9 ball of energy said. "Not getting out of control at times."

Then he explained why that's such a challenge: "But to me, my out-of-control is my control. It's kind of weird to juggle both at the same time."

Isiah Thomas, who arrived Saturday night to watch the workouts and games, said he doesn't want Robinson to change his game too dramatically. But there's no doubt Robinson's erratic play drove Thomas to distraction throughout the past season.

"He's had some growing pains within the game, but the way he's going about competing and working on his game, I like everything about him," Thomas said. "I'm not encouraging him to change too much of his game because I like what he does. I just want him to get better at it."

Assistant coach Dave Hanners, who is running the summer league team, said Robinson needs "reps" at point guard. The summer league will provide a good opportunity for Robinson to get to know the Knicks' offensive system better. And the Knicks can get a sense of whether Robinson fits into their plans.

"I don't think he's going to become this point guard in the summer league," Thomas said. "That's not what I'm looking for. But I do want him to continue to get better."

Notes & quotes: Thomas said he is not pursuing any trades but is looking into any opportunities that would improve the Knicks. He also said it would have to take a major deal to include David Lee in anything. "We have no intentions of moving him," Thomas said. Right now the most intriguing option - Sacramento's Ron Artest - is believed to be on the back burner and might never come to fruition as long as the Kings insist on getting Lee in return. Artest has an opt-out after the coming season and is expected to exercise it for a bigger payday, so it is believed Thomas doesn't want to give up too much, even if adding Artest makes the Knicks a serious contender in the East.


Ewwww.:barf:
 

Kiyaman

Legend
Lets say it right, Isiah Thomas does not have it all there!

Nate Robinson, Lee, Frye, Balkman, and Crawford, are all young players that like to create and learn off their running transition talent which is their best strength in the game.
But that could not happen on this Knick-Team last season with one dimension Half-court-offensive players Curry (35 MPG), Jefferies (30 MPG), and Marbury (35 MPG), whom dont have a clue or play a lick on a Half-Court-Defense.

Nate Robinson could have a Bad game in everyone of these Summer League games and still be the best Guard on the court. His Strength and Talents lies in his running transition game inwhich Coach Isiah Thomas would not let him play throughout the entire 82 games for the "SAVE-FACE" purpose of creating the offense to play on the strength and talents of Marbury, Curry, and Jefferies who dont have any running game skillz in their talent. That is a Check that can be cashed in any Bank around the world...

P.S. The new addition of Zack Randolph whom 85% of his talents is best in a halfcourt offense is another reason to ridicule this Knick team this upcomming season when the young Knick players will be forced to slow down their game for the sake of the Knick Star players who dont play a lick of Halfcourt defense and get beat on the Knicks oposition running game (inside and outside).
 

nyk_nyk

All Star
The bottom line is that we have 4 point guards after Steph and at least 2 of them need to go. I love Nate and the energy he brings off the bench. If you watched all the games last season, there were times when he actually made guys play harder because of his hustle. I like his decision to play in Vegas this summer. He knows that he needs to remind the coaching staff why he belongs in the rotation and I think he will impress.

If there is one thing we all know about Nate, he's a warrior and doesn't shy away from the limelight.
 

metrocard

Legend



New interviews...Nate needs a haircut, that mini afro aint cool.


Yo, whos down for a chat tonight for the game vs the Sonics? Anyone wanna do AIM?


BTW, can Mods sticky this thread?

Thanks
 

GiantsKnickFan

Benchwarmer
Knicks Vs. Sonics
Some of my observations of the game

Nate as always was erratic, was looking to pass the ball more, but still would make bad decisions had turned it over too many times.
Balkman was his usual self, flying everywhere, getting steals, running the fast break (even ran the point forward when sea went into the trap), improved his ball handling, didnt shoot from outside (which would have been nice to see him get a jumper, maybe next game).
Defensively gaurded Durant or Green and was a pest and good defender, was very physical with durant and durant couldnt handle it, but when durant took him outside once, faked balkman out his shoes.
Nichols is a shooter, has good moves towards the baskets, pump fake 3, drive it in, and a foul. Sometimes relied too much on his jumper but is a good catch and shooter. Needs help on D, but is long and rangy and can rebound ok.
Chandler was very surprising, he has a good all around game. 12pts, 50 FG% 4 rebs, 2 steals, 1 block. Played durant very well in the perimeter, durant tried a cross over chandler poked it away and ran it back and knocked down a hook shot on durant the other way. Good passer, made a nice open floor pass leading balkman str8 to a dunk. Good perimeter defender, and can rebound altho may need to add jus a lil more bulk.
Morris was ok, 10/10 was solid, not uber impressive but didnt dominate.
The other surprise was a player named greene, didnt catch his 1st name, and funny enuff is listed as greene greene at the nba.com summer league page (http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/players/index.jsp?player=brian_greene)
Greene played very well, SF.. who looks like a mirror image of an undersized Pat Garrity or Girichek even. Tough player, deep 3pt range, quick release, turn and shoot. D was ok, not impressive. hes def an offesive minded kid, but can def shoot.

Thats about it, but simply the knicks kids dominated the entire sonics team, no one on that sqaud was able to do anything. Durant looked like he wanted to take over the game took it to the hole and hit a nice 3. Balkman is now back and the game and durant dissapears.
Tom vs Yi should be fun
 

nyKnicks126

Go 1990s New York Knicks!
Your little links are getting old son. Anyway The Knicks won the opener and are playing tonight against the China team.
 

d2319

Benchwarmer
Now the Knicks must play harder against team China becuase I was watching them the other night and boy are they good shooters!
 

Kiyaman

Legend
Knicks Vs. Sonics
Some of my observations of the game

Nate as always was erratic, was looking to pass the ball more, but still would make bad decisions had turned it over too many times.
Balkman was his usual self, flying everywhere, getting steals, running the fast break (even ran the point forward when sea went into the trap), improved his ball handling, didnt shoot from outside (which would have been nice to see him get a jumper, maybe next game).
Defensively gaurded Durant or Green and was a pest and good defender, was very physical with durant and durant couldnt handle it, but when durant took him outside once, faked balkman out his shoes.
Nichols is a shooter, has good moves towards the baskets, pump fake 3, drive it in, and a foul. Sometimes relied too much on his jumper but is a good catch and shooter. Needs help on D, but is long and rangy and can rebound ok.
Chandler was very surprising, he has a good all around game. 12pts, 50 FG% 4 rebs, 2 steals, 1 block. Played durant very well in the perimeter, durant tried a cross over chandler poked it away and ran it back and knocked down a hook shot on durant the other way. Good passer, made a nice open floor pass leading balkman str8 to a dunk. Good perimeter defender, and can rebound altho may need to add jus a lil more bulk.
Morris was ok, 10/10 was solid, not uber impressive but didnt dominate.
The other surprise was a player named greene, didnt catch his 1st name, and funny enuff is listed as greene greene at the nba.com summer league page (http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/players/index.jsp?player=brian_greene)
Greene played very well, SF.. who looks like a mirror image of an undersized Pat Garrity or Girichek even. Tough player, deep 3pt range, quick release, turn and shoot. D was ok, not impressive. hes def an offesive minded kid, but can def shoot.

Thats about it, but simply the knicks kids dominated the entire sonics team, no one on that sqaud was able to do anything. Durant looked like he wanted to take over the game took it to the hole and hit a nice 3. Balkman is now back and the game and durant dissapears.
Tom vs Yi should be fun

Adding to the above:

The Tazman Performance was so impresive on both sides of the court vs 2nd pick Durant, and his Court Awareness for his new teammates were outstanding. Who was it that said Renaldo Balkman was a 2nd Round Pick in last season draft?
I am impressed with the Knicks young Players in their first Summer League game.
Nate Robinson & Renaldo Balkman set the tone like a real Captain and Leader does for their new teammates. We were able to see individual performances playing TEAM-BALL. That is something BIG and different from the last two regular season performances from this Knick Team.
C-Randolph Morris showed up offensively & defensively in the paint (I still would put him in the PF position vs NBA teams with Lee at the Center and Balkman at the SF.
SF-Chandler could not wait to show his raw Ron Artest performance on bothsides of the court, his peremeter shooting caught everyone eyes in the first game, lets see if he could keep it up throughout the rest of the Summer League games.
SF-Nichols played great as Nate's right hand man in the backcourt and took advantage of every easy basket that was given to him to look like the invisible man on both sides of the court. You have to LUV his peremeter-defense.
SG-Greene was having fun and laughing alot at how Nate Robinson was so affective throughout the game when he wanted to be. Greene could be the Knicks peremeter man on both sides of the court.
Nate & Balkman get the MVP for this game in showing all of their teammates talents, not just on offense but defense too. They actually showed there teammates what is expected in the NBA. This was showed in the 2nd half of the game when Chandler & Nichols bumbed heads with Durant on offense and defense showing they are NBA ready too. Only if Marbury, Crawford, Jefferies, Zack, and Curry could be as good a "TEAM-PLAYER" as Nate & Balkman. But they cant!!!

P.S. I still say that when Isiah Thomas seen Chandler performance in the Knicks workouts, and Chandler refused to go to any more team workouts after that, especially Philly workout who had 3 first round picks and is in need of a 6.8 SF like him.
Once Isiah Thomas made the 23rd selection in the draft for 6.8 Chandler, his thoughts on Ron Artest being a Knick was over.
Next Team China, this will be where we see which Knick Player in the Summer League Games has the best Peremeter Defense (Chandler, Nichols, Greene)?

Knick-Fans you still want Nate Robinson traded dont you? reminds me of the Knick-Fans for Charlie Ward. Nate minor mistakes in a game never cost the team a lost, but Marbury & Crawford decision making cause a team to fall apart...
 

donchris

Next season, keep waiting
Nate Robinson was benched because he was inconsistent not because of a half court offense. Robinson had a good year under Brown but the rest of the team sucked. Now the rest of the team played well and Nate was benched. If benching Nate means the Knicks will play well so be it. I like Nate but we've got way too many guards and I'd rather see Collins get his minutes.
 

metrocard

Legend
Adding to the above:

The Tazman Performance was so impresive on both sides of the court vs 2nd pick Durant, and his Court Awareness for his new teammates were outstanding. Who was it that said Renaldo Balkman was a 2nd Round Pick in last season draft?
I am impressed with the Knicks young Players in their first Summer League game.
Nate Robinson & Renaldo Balkman set the tone like a real Captain and Leader does for their new teammates. We were able to see individual performances playing TEAM-BALL. That is something BIG and different from the last two regular season performances from this Knick Team.
C-Randolph Morris showed up offensively & defensively in the paint (I still would put him in the PF position vs NBA teams with Lee at the Center and Balkman at the SF.
SF-Chandler could not wait to show his raw Ron Artest performance on bothsides of the court, his peremeter shooting caught everyone eyes in the first game, lets see if he could keep it up throughout the rest of the Summer League games.
SF-Nichols played great as Nate's right hand man in the backcourt and took advantage of every easy basket that was given to him to look like the invisible man on both sides of the court. You have to LUV his peremeter-defense.
SG-Greene was having fun and laughing alot at how Nate Robinson was so affective throughout the game when he wanted to be. Greene could be the Knicks peremeter man on both sides of the court.
Nate & Balkman get the MVP for this game in showing all of their teammates talents, not just on offense but defense too. They actually showed there teammates what is expected in the NBA. This was showed in the 2nd half of the game when Chandler & Nichols bumbed heads with Durant on offense and defense showing they are NBA ready too. Only if Marbury, Crawford, Jefferies, Zack, and Curry could be as good a "TEAM-PLAYER" as Nate & Balkman. But they cant!!!

P.S. I still say that when Isiah Thomas seen Chandler performance in the Knicks workouts, and Chandler refused to go to any more team workouts after that, especially Philly workout who had 3 first round picks and is in need of a 6.8 SF like him.
Once Isiah Thomas made the 23rd selection in the draft for 6.8 Chandler, his thoughts on Ron Artest being a Knick was over.
Next Team China, this will be where we see which Knick Player in the Summer League Games has the best Peremeter Defense (Chandler, Nichols, Greene)?

Knick-Fans you still want Nate Robinson traded dont you? reminds me of the Knick-Fans for Charlie Ward. Nate minor mistakes in a game never cost the team a lost, but Marbury & Crawford decision making cause a team to fall apart...

I agree completely.

Its only one SL though, but Chandler look really impressive. Same with Nichols.


These two guys are very versitle and can play multiple positions. They're going to be excellent bench players for us.

Balkman is just an animal. Like I said, Balkman is our best YOUNG player he brings something no one else on this roster('cept Lee) brings and thats high intensity agressive basketball on both sides.

donchris, good post.

We're going to fucking CRUSH CHINA. Balkman is going to make Yi his personal ho.
 

FameMos

Benchwarmer
I was most impressed with Chandler. He has a good perimeter shot...Just imagine how consistent it should be in oct. :afro: So far it looks like another great draft 4 Mr. Isaiah Thomas
 
Nate

Nate Robinson was benched because he was inconsistent not because of a half court offense. Robinson had a good year under Brown but the rest of the team sucked. Now the rest of the team played well and Nate was benched. If benching Nate means the Knicks will play well so be it. I like Nate but we've got way too many guards and I'd rather see Collins get his minutes.

I agree. earlier last seaon, I used to cringe evertime Collins came on the court, but he presented himself much better after he started getting signifigant minutes late season.

I too want to see Nate play well so he has good trade value, but lets face it, he looked pretty good last night, but he cannot drive a real NBA lane because hes too short and the rest of league has figured him out now, and he's just too easy to slap down when he does.
 

CoolClyde

Moderator
one summer nate

Nate looked great in SL, he's perfect guard off the bench to stir things up, and be an instant offensive threat/pest.

Balkman rules. Chandler, Nichols and Morris played well enough to make the squad. Fred Jones' interview with Gus Johnson was interesting, he says he's a defensive specialist and is all about team. Looking forward to seeing his D and his hops.

IT's gotta phone home and make a trade soon, to pare down the roster.
As it is:

Starbury - Collins - DanDick
Crawford - Nate - Jones
Q Rich - Balkman - Jeffries/Nichols
Randolph - Lee - Chandler
Curry - James - Morris

OUT
Cato
Rose

I say lose Jeffries over Nichols. The Syracuse product can shoot!

word.
CC
 

lilman_bklyn

Rotation player
Adding to the above:


Knick-Fans you still want Nate Robinson traded dont you? reminds me of the Knick-Fans for Charlie Ward. Nate minor mistakes in a game never cost the team a lost, but Marbury & Crawford decision making cause a team to fall apart...

umm Knicks should have trade Charlie Ward too. He stayed way too long as a Knick in my opinion. He would have a good few games here and there and the front office would forget about his other short comings. If the knicks can get quality for Nate then go for it. Collins should get his minutes
 

Trin_Starr

Starter
The knicks vs China will be on a live streaming video feed on nba.com
All you have to do is create a login and that's it.
 

jimkcchief88

All Star
umm Knicks should have trade Charlie Ward too. He stayed way too long as a Knick in my opinion. He would have a good few games here and there and the front office would forget about his other short comings. If the knicks can get quality for Nate then go for it. Collins should get his minutes

blasphemy!!!
 
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