Knicks Ring in New Year in Style Behind Nate's 41 Points
When Mike D’Antoni took Nate Robinson out of the Knicks rotation last month, the coach never once said the move would be a permanent one. In fact, D’Antoni always figured Robinson would play again and often told the 5-foot-9 guard to be ready before games.
It was just a matter of time before Robinson’s number would be called.
As the calendar flipped to a new year, D’Antoni turned to a new rotation Friday in Atlanta after New York closed out 2009 with a disappointing road loss to the Nets. Robinson, who had been sidelined the previous 14 games, was the first guard off the bench and made his coach look like a genius, scoring 25 of his season-high 41 points in the fourth quarter and overtime in Friday’s thrilling 112-108 come from behind win over the Hawks.
“Thank goodness the new year brought a resolution,” D’Antoni said. “Just watching the last couple of games, we needed that little extra and I didn’t think we were getting it from some other guys and I knew Nate could give us that. Now it’s just a matter of staying on task and win games.”
Robinson, who was told he’d play following the morning shootaround, made an impact from the moment he checked in with three minutes left first quarter until the final stretch run of regulation when the Knicks erased a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to force the extra period. Robinson went from being a non-factor over the past month to the go-to player in an important game against an elite Eastern Conference opponent.
On a night when the Knicks’ top two scorers David Lee and Al Harrington shot a combined 9-for-30 from the field, Robinson fought through rubber legs and scored 10 of the Knicks’ final 12 points in the fourth quarter and 11 of the their 13 total points in overtime. He also dished out eight assists and pulled down six rebounds in 38 minutes. New York outscored Atlanta 97-79 with him on the floor.
“I was kind of excited I had a seat on the bench tonight,” said Lee, who did not play in overtime. “Nate single-handedly took us. The guy hasn’t played for how many number of games and came in tonight and has continued to work, continued to keep his mouth shut and wait for his time. I’d say he definitely made up for it tonight and had an unbelievable game. I was happy to be on the same team and root him on.”
Robinson hadn’t played since Dec. 1 against Phoenix. But with Larry Hughes struggling since returning from an ankle injury last week and Jonathan Bender out with a sore left leg, the Knicks turned to Robinson to provide an offensive burst. Rookie Marcus Landry also found himself in the eight-man rotation after D’Antoni sat him out the previous 12 games, including spending seven games on the inactive list.
“It’s been a humbling experience,” Robinson said. “I’m here to stay. I want to play, I want to help this team win and everything is in the past. It’s 2010 and it’s a fresh start.”
The Knicks went 9-6 (8-6 without Robinson) in December to turn around a season that started off worse than any other in franchise history. There were moments when many believed the recent wins were a result of Robinson being out of the rotation, but D’Antoni doesn’t necessarily share that same view.
“I can’t say what would have happened if I didn’t (bench Robinson),” D’Antoni said. “When I did it we were struggling. We had the best month we’ve had here in eight years so would we of had a better month? I don’t know that. But we’re going forward right now.”
Robinson and the Knicks, who are now only a half game behind Charlotte for eighth in the East, will be back in action Sunday against the Indiana Pacer at Madison Square Garden.
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