If you know anything about Damian Lillard, who always plays with a chip on his shoulder, then you might be able to relate this to Thomas Robinson. In 2012, T-Rob led Kansas all the way to the National Championship game, where despite scoring 18 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, they were unable to defeat the stacked Kentucky team which included Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilcrist
Thomas Robinson wasn't happy to lose that game. He was even less happy at the 2012 NBA draft just a few months later. He saw Anthony "The Brow" Davis and MKG picked before him in the draft, as well as Bradley Beal and Dion Waiters, before he was finally picked just one spot ahead of Portland (Damian Lillard). As a guy who was touted as the most NBA ready power forward available, a big man in the mold of Dwight Howard with a motor that would make Larry Legend proud, he was not pleased when MJ didn't pick him, or when the Wizards and Cavs passed too. The chip on his shoulder became a block and when the Kings finally added him to their logjam of big men to sit and stew on the bench behind Boogie Cousins, he only got more angry.
He was finally sent to Houston, where he saw even less minutes before he was traded to Portland.
With Robinson stuck on the bench behind All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, yet again he sees more pine than parquet. Only with LA, Joel Freeland, and Meyers all out with injury has he now seen extended minutes, and so the fans are saying "Who is Thomas Robinson?". Is he another lottery pick playing with a chip on his shoulder? Can he carve out a meaningful role before the playoffs? That kind of wildcard is one I'd want on my team. One thing is for sure, people are beginning to figure out just who Thomas Robinson really is.
*Portland ended up with 3 lottery picks from the 2012 Draft (Lillard, Robinson, and Leonard).
No comments:
Post a Comment