Robinson Makes Presence Felt in Vegas

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July 16, 2008

LAS VEGAS -- Three years ago, Nate Robinson came to Las Vegas and used the Summer League as a platform to launch himself into the NBA universe.

Now Anthony Roberson may be doing the same thing.

The pocked-sized Robinson is participating in his fourth consecutive Summer League, and has almost become as much of a summertime tradition in Las Vegas as tourists, jackpots and triple-digit temperatures.

In 2005, freshly acquired by New York after having been drafted by Phoenix, Robinson joined the Knicks' first-ever Las Vegas summer squad and immediately displayed the frenetic style which has stamped him as one of the game's most dynamic players. Last summer, he marked his third straight trip to Vegas by averaging 19.6 points, earning Summer League MVP honors as he led the Knicks to a 5-0 mark.

And on Wednesday, Nate made his 2008 Summer League debut in the Knicks' 82-67 loss to San Antonio, scoring eight points (2-for-10 shooting) with four assists and four rebounds.

On the surface, there may not be much reason for a three-year veteran to return to Summer League once again. But for Nate -- and for all the Knicks -- this summer and fall will be dedicated towards learning the Mike D'Antoni system, one that Robinson may be ideally suited for. Why not get an early start?

"Today was pretty good, a decent run, a decent game," said Nate after his 26-minute stint on Wednesday. "Unfortunately ,we lost, but just getting the feel for it, that's the main thing. Repetitions and learning the plays and going a hundred miles per hour. It's something new for a lot of guys on our team, including myself. It's going to take some getting used to, but we're right there ready for it. It's a challenge."

The new philosophy, and seeing some familiar faces again, is reason enough for Nate to make the annual trip to Vegas.

"Just learning the offense, that's why I came out," he says. "Just being around the guys, the rooks. Mardy Collins is one of my best friends on the team. It's just fun being here. We're just pushing each other and that's the main thing."

Robinson came to Las Vegas this week as unquestionably the most recognizable face on the Knicks' Summer League team. Roberson came in as a virtual unknown. He didn't stay that way for very long.

In the Knicks' Summer League opener, Roberson poured in 22 points in 30 minutes in Monday's victory over Cleveland. He followed it up with 12 points in 24 bench minutes on Wednesday against San Antonio. His steady backcourt play and adaptation to the offensive scheme have made him a prime candidate to rejoin the Knicks at veterans camp in October.

Roberson came to Las Vegas with a simple philosophy.

"Playing within the system, play hard," he says. "Just try to show the Knicks that I can fit into the system. I think, watching Phoenix in the past and the type of system that Coach D'Antoni likes to run, in my heart I felt like I can fit in. I'm just trying to come in and do that. Play within myself, don't try to do too much, do what I know what to do best. That's all I'm trying to do."

A 6-foot-2 product of the University of Florida, the 25-year old Roberson spent last season playing in Turkey and Israel. For the two years prior to that, he had short stints with Memphis and Golden State, along with 28 games in the D-League.

And visualizing himself playing at Madison Square Garden is already very real to him.

"I do. I do all the time," says Anthony. "I like the situation, I like the coaching staff, I like the opportunity they're giving me. I want to be part of the era they're trying to bring to New York, I really do."

He may very well get that chance.

INJURY UPDATE: Due to a sore lower back he suffered in Monday's win over Cleveland, rookie Danilo Gallinari did not play in Wednesday's loss to San Antonio, and is doubtful for the remainder of Summer League. A precautionary MRI showed no significant findings. Gallinari will undergo treatment and rest for the remainder of the week before returning to Italy next week.

Renaldo Balkman suffered a sprained left ankle in the third quarter of Wednesday's game when he landed awkwardly while attempting to block a shot by the Spurs' Anthony Tolliver. He did not return to the game, after scoring eight points in 19 minutes.

WEDNESDAY'S GAME: San Antonio outscored New York 47-28 in the second half, as the Knicks lost to the Spurs on Wednesday, 82-67, dropping their record to 1-1 in the 2008 NBA Summer League, presented by EA Sports. Wilson Chandler and Paul Miller each scored 10 points as the Knicks shot just 36.4 percent from the field (24-66 FGA). Illinois' Roger Powell, who played last season in Italy, led the Spurs with 15 points.

Wednesday's loss snapped an overall nine-game Knicks Summer League winning streak. New York, which went 5-0 in Las Vegas last year, absorbed its first Summer League loss since July 8, 2006 (89-70 to Phoenix).

UP NEXT: Following a complete off-day on Thursday -- no game, no practice -- the Knicks will wrap up their Summer League schedule with three games in three days. They will face Phoenix on Friday, Charlotte on Saturday, and Minnesota in their Las Vegas finale on Sunday. … .All games will begin at 4 p.m. ET and will be carried live on MSG Network with Mike Crispino and Walt Frazier. All game telecasts will be replayed at 10:30 p.m. ET, with Friday's game replayed at 8 p.m. as well.