Thomas Robinson‘s recent production and an injury to Larry Nance Jr. are increasing his chances of remaining with the Lakers when all NBA contracts become guaranteed January 10th, writes Mark Medina of The Orange County Register.
Robinson earned a roster spot in L.A. after signing a non-guaranteed contract prior to training camp. His salary for this season is $1,050,961, but he will have to wait 11 days before being assured of getting all that money.
Robinson said he is trying to focus on his role on the court, rather than watching the calendar.
“I just control when my name gets called, and then I go play. That’s all I got to do.” he said. “I’m coming in early, leaving late and being supportive of my team. As far as the decisions the front office makes, I have no control over that.”
The Lakers have been asking Robinson to do more since Nance was sidelined last week by a bone bruise on his left knee. Nance is expected to be out of action for about another month. During the Lakers’ first four games without him, Robinson averaged 7.3 points and 8.8 rebounds and shot 72% from the field.
Coach Luke Walton called Robinson “a beast on the glass” and said he has been impressing team officials since informal workouts over the summer.
“He quickly showed how hard he works and how hard he plays every time he plays basketball,” Walton. “He filled a reputation for himself at least in my eyes right off the bat. Through his hard work and the way he competed on the floor in training camp, he earned a spot on the team.”
Robinson, the No. 5 pick in 2012, is looking for a long-term home after bouncing around the league for the past four years. After being drafted by the Kings, he has spent time with the Rockets, Trail Blazers, Sixers and Nets.
It seems like he puts up great rebounding numbers for the little playing time he gets no matter what team he’s on. I really can’t believe he hasn’t stuck around on teams and earned more playing time.
Its because he sucks. He’s turnover-prone, can’t create his own shot, it’s too small to guard power forwards on defense, and can’t shoot.
Don’t get me wrong he’s a good guy and has an incredible story. But I’m a good guy too and I don’t get much playing time with the Lakers either. Can’t find a team to keep me.
thats cuz youre a puta
If he worked on his FTs he’d catch on more. Irony is that his numbers are similar to DeAndre Jordan per 36 mins. And he’s just a lob guy.
I’d like to see Walton go for broke with this starting line up…Russell, Young, Ingram, Randle, Robinson…and follow it with Williams, Clarkson, Deng, Black, and Mozgov…of course when Nance gets back there is a logjam at 4…part of the Lakers problem seems to be that their ultra high energy guys all play the 4 with Randle being more inconsistent than Robinson, Nance, and Black on purely an energy basis. You can call Black a small ball 5 but against a good 7 footer he’s a 4. In the end, I’d like to see whether the one’s or the two’s in my line ups deserve more of the minutes based on Plus/Minus. I’m all for pitting the vets against the youth and try to raise the bar!