Nate bringing his winning ways to the Celtics

[nykat]

what did Doc Rivers do? Exactly what D'Antoni did, let him play. The difference is Nate doesn't respond well when he's criticized. And when he got traded he learned to just shut up and follow what his coach says.. And for God's sake, he's playing along 3 or 4 All-stars!

D'antoni does not communicate well with some players he's kind of arrogant in that resepect.

A lot of people in NY, most especially the coach, didn't appreciate what Nate brought to the table...

but I think a championship player like KG and a championship organization like the Celtics, sound like they appreciate him a little more

[thewatcher]

What Kevin Garnett said really doesn't matter because we already knew he was a high energy guy. The question was is he a starting point guard, or even a starting player, and the answer is clearly no. All he's doing is coming off of the bench and doing what we knew he could do already. And they lost to the Nets, so he hasn't changed their season around or anything.

it is?? after 5 games the answers are all in?? WOW!!
YM just as little was proven about Nate in the losses to NJ and Cleveland, not much has been proven in the last 2 wins, games in which he has clearly sparked the team. Stating he hasn't proven he's a PG or a starter (when he's thus far averaging 20 minutes off the bench)is stating the obvious. But it's also true that he hasn't proven that he isn't one either... What he has done is win over his teammates and coach. And this time around, his coach is an asset to him, not an obstacle like Dictoni was here. Now he will succeed or fail strictly on his own merits (he wont be benched after 24 point 4th quarters anymore). What's your hurry YM?? don't follow Sndler's example.... we have all season and playoffs to look for answers...answers which will be clearer than after only 5 games on a new team.

[thewatcher]

[what did Doc Rivers do? Exactly what D'Antoni did, let him play. The difference is Nate doesn't respond well when he's criticized. And when he got traded he learned to just shut up and follow what his coach says.. And for God's sake, he's playing along 3 or 4 All-stars!

...actually Mike D did not let him play for 14 games. And Nate, trooper that he is, was like a choir boy despite DNP's in his contract year on one of the shittiest teams in the league. And when he eventually re-entered the rotation and played well, even MikeD couldn't deny that he won the starting spot....for 2 fcking games, the second of which he led a terrific comeback attempt against the Cavs....no matter, he was sent back to the bench, yes I imagine at that point Nate had had it and dropped the F bomb....very bad idea, but good for him. Dantoni deserved it.

And now he's miraculously "changed"?? Come on, dude, that doesnt fly no matter how hard you try.....he's the same guy, he's the fun loving. proud little warrior who just wants to play and win...

[dcapodic]

What Kevin Garnett said really doesn't matter because we already knew he was a high energy guy. The question was is he a starting point guard, or even a starting player, and the answer is clearly no. All he's doing is coming off of the bench and doing what we knew he could do already. And they lost to the Nets, so he hasn't changed their season around or anything.

Good post YM.

To all the Nate supporters that want to point to his recent play with the Celtics and somehow say that "proves their point" about his ability....this is exactly what most people on the board felt was Nate's best role, spark plug off the bench. So, is it a surprise to anyone that he is doing well in that role? Well, I cannot answer for everyone, but as stated earlier I fully expected Nate to do well in this role and not just because he is with a good team. He excelled in this role with the Knicks. The issue always was this comparison for some reason with Duhon. I must have posted 20 times that I did not see why the comparison was even made because it was not comparing apples to apples. Nate has all the ability ion the world to be this kind of spark plug, offensive juggernaut off the bench. When he is on, he can take over a game, we have seen that. When he is off, you need to get him back on the bench, we have also seen that.

Anything more for him, such as a starting PG....well, that is all speculation. I doubt he will ever get to try that out with the Celtics but if he is interested, he is a free agent this summer and there may be teams willing to give him a shot. The rest of this year and the playoffs are his chance to earn that confidence and new contract. Remember the power of a good playoff run and what it can do....Jerome James does

As to continuing this running discussion of Nate vs. Duhon...have fun with that but it makes me barf

[thewatcher]

[To all the Nate supporters that want to point to his recent play with the Celtics and somehow say that "proves their point" about his ability....

dcap, I agree with your post. Except for the part I highlighted, because if you read back through the thread, you'd notice that the "Nate supporters", are urging patience and an open mind t the new situation; and in fact the thread was started by a Nate hater stating that the first 2 games on a new team had somehow proven his point??

After the 2 losses I was even sarcastically questioned about my "great defense" whatever.


Id only add that there comes a point, when the discussion about what a player can't do becomes silly. I highly doubt that San Antonio fans endlessly debate whether Ginobli's a starter? just like Calvin Murphy probably wasn't subjected to endless discussions about whether he was a PG or only a spark-plug Now CLEARLY Nate isnt yet an all star like those two, and since he won't start for Boston, and Rondo kinda has the PG position locked up (as you pointed out) he will not definitively prove those points either way. But as you also point out, a great deep playoff run by him is possible. And that will prove he isnt a "loser". And imo it should also shift the discussion away from what Nate cant do, and onto what he can.

[dcapodic]

dcap, I agree with your post. Except for the part I highlighted, because if you read back through the thread, you'd notice that the "Nate supporters", are urging patience and an open mind t the new situation; and in fact the thread was started by a Nate hater stating that the first 2 games on a new team had somehow proven his point??

After the 2 losses I was even sarcastically questioned about my "great defense" whatever.


Id only add that there comes a point, when the discussion about what a player can't do becomes silly. I highly doubt that San Antonio fans endlessly debate whether Ginobli's a starter? just like Calvin Murphy probably wasn't subjected to endless discussions about whether he was a PG or only a spark-plug Now CLEARLY Nate isnt yet an all star like those two, and since he won't start for Boston, and Rondo kinda has the PG position locked up (as you pointed out) he will not definitively prove those points either way. But as you also point out, a great deep playoff run by him is possible. And that will prove he isnt a "loser". And imo it should also shift the discussion away from what Nate cant do, and onto what he can.

Great point watcher! I have tried to stay away from saying what Nate can do and actually, I don't think there is anything he "can't" do. Putting his mind to it, I believe he could do anything asked of him. What the limit is to the results would matter with how well he does it obviously and the deciding factor is....does he get a legitimate chance to show what he can do in a more extended role.

This is the key for Nate and with free agency coming up, it will be interesting to see where he winds up. Would he take an offer from a team where he could start but may not be the most money or most attractive market? He may have to put starting and proving himself in a more expanded role ahead of money and the location. To me, he seems like a good guy and certainly is an exciting player. I hope he gets the chance, where ever he goes.

For now though, it will be fun to watch him with the C's in the playoffs. Hard to root for the C's but will root for Nate!

[thewatcher]

After what he's gone through, Nate would be a fool to go to a bad team just to start at PG. However, money and long term security are certainly factors. Even though it might mean he never becomes a starting PG, I think playing for doc Rivers; and after reading his quote, with KG should be his goal. It's gotta be a huge relief receiving such support after the rough road he's traveled.

[qdaman]

what did Doc Rivers do? Exactly what D'Antoni did, let him play. The difference is Nate doesn't respond well when he's criticized. And when he got traded he learned to just shut up and follow what his coach says.. And for God's sake, he's playing along 3 or 4 All-stars!

It doesn't matter who he's playing with, he's making them better. How would Chris Duhon fare on the Celtics, where even guys who play like Bill Walker are reserves?

[cragganmor]

Nate's settled into his new role, a high-efficiency scorer giving them about 9 ppg in 17 mpg, 47% from the arc; the Celts have won 4 in a row.

[StevoStarks]

And i believe he's shooting 50% from 3. Not bad.

[thewatcher]

Cragg, the last win against the Wizard's was very ugly. They had to come back from a lot in the last minute. I have mixed feelings about what Ive seen so far. On the plus side, I love that he's connected with the fans and that KG has shown respect and love towards him. Im glad he's shown flashes. But against the Wiz he just never had the opportunity to get it going. On the negative side, Doc is playing an insanely deep rotation and while that keeps people fresh, it's mostly the bench guys getting under 20 minutes a game and it's tough to do much with that. Also I dont see rondo embracing Nate's arrival. And objectively why should he? he averaged a near triple double in last year playoffs getting the ball to big guys inside.....and now he's supposed to share the ball with "attention whore" fron losing NY?? he's supposed to pass it early to nate or to the perimeter instead of just penetrating himself?
I can understand if sour-puss Rondo feels that way, but with KG looking more like liability than savior, chemistry between nate and Rondo is mandatory to any playoff success IMO.

[cragganmor]

i think the celts will take a win, no matter how ugly.

kg loves nate because of his intensity/emotion, he'll need the extra motivation at his stage of his career.

the backcourt chemistry will be a work in progress, but yes, getting nate to mesh with rondo will be key for them; i'd think that doc will pare the rotation down for the postseason, get ray, rondo, nate and finley playing well together.

[qdaman]

Nate's role off the bench isn't the one he has presently, it's the role he will have in the playoffs, that of a Manu Ginobli etc. A guy who plays 30+ minutes off the bench but is openly recognized as being of equal importance and value as a starter (already a 4th quarter staple, sometimes he won't play much all game, Doc still gives him the whole 4th).

[nazrmohamed]

What Kevin Garnett said really doesn't matter because we already knew he was a high energy guy. The question was is he a starting point guard, or even a starting player, and the answer is clearly no. All he's doing is coming off of the bench and doing what we knew he could do already. And they lost to the Nets, so he hasn't changed their season around or anything.

but see, thats my point. How come whether or not he can play pg is a barometer of whether or not he has any worth as a player. I mean, I understand that him being a pg has more value but I dont get your point. Its not like we traded Nate so we can get the PG of our dreams, we traded him for another guy who does the same exact thing, provide energy and score off the bench. That role, whoever it may be has value. The NBA even has a term for it called the 6th man. Dantoni just didnt want this particualar sixth man and thats fine. Its his choice and I'm actually enjoying House. But I just find it funny cuz anytime someone wnats to bash Nate they pull out thier percieved trump card of Nate not being a pg.

Ben Gordon isnt a pg and he gets paid 10mil to do what Nate does
Jason Terry isnt a PG
House isnt a PG
the list goes on and on of combo guards who arent quite pg's and arent quite sg's that are valued by thier teams. Dantoni simply didnt value Nate. We got smarter players now, everybody listens to Dantoni, no headcases.............and guess what? No energy either.

[Naan]

Boston:

Celtics coach Doc Rivers unveiled his playoff rotation in yesterday's 117-113 victory over the Cavaliers at TD Garden.

It included Tony Allen and Michael Finley in prominent roles. It did not include Nate Robinson or Marquis Daniels at all.

[big_j_NY]

As I could recall, Nate Robinson has some sort of ankle/knee injury in the game previous to yesterday........which is why he was not in the rotation yesterday. The playoffs haven't even started yet, so there is still a week and a half to for changes.

[Naan]

He had a mild ankle sprain a week or two ago and played the subsequent three games. It's clear that he isn't a part of Boston's future. I wish he was able to give them the energy needed to contend with Cleveland, but it looks like the Celtics have greater problems that probably can't be fixed in time for the post-season.

[big_j_NY]

He had a mild ankle sprain a week or two ago and played the subsequent three games. It's clear that he isn't a part of Boston's future. I wish he was able to give them the energy needed to contend with Cleveland, but it looks like the Celtics have greater problems that probably can't be fixed in time for the post-season.

If nate really is being pushed out of the playoff rotation permanently, I do say the Finley signing had a big role in all of this. If Finley didn't sign with the Celtics, Nate Robinson would be there right now. Finley basically plays the same role as nate in terms of being a 6th man scorer off the bench in limited minutes, but the fact that Finley is a natural 6'7" SG while Nate is an undersized combo guard basically knocks Nate out of the picture.

[taowave]

What I find ironic is we traded Nate,Darko and Hill,and 2 of the 3 look like they have a future...Hint..its not the little fella

[cragganmor]

What I find ironic is we traded Nate,Darko and Hill,and 2 of the 3 look like they have a future...Hint..its not the little fella

...and he's by far the most athletically talented of the three.