Nate Can't Play Defense? Are You Kidding?

[Pucaccia]

When it was announced that Nate Robinson is coming to the Celts, a lot of posters kept saying, "He Can't play Defense"  Can Nate play defense? Are you kidding me. Of course he can play defense.  He is one of the fastest and most athletic players in the game.  He is only 25 years old.  The question is, when was he ever asked to play defense?  Did Isaiah Thomas or Mike D'Antoni ask him to play defense. Is Eddie House a great defender?
We are about to get one of the most exciting players in the league. Young, athletic and a real spark plug. He will play defense because the focus will be on defense.
Being on the Knicks is a lousy situation for any player.
My only hope is he comes here very aggressive like Eddie and not get stifled thinking he needs to conform.
At the end of a close game, we can now put in Nate in case the other team needs to fowl.
This trade is going to make us a lot better.

[FatjohnReturns]

Its not the fact that he cant play defense. Its that the effort hasnt been there in the past.

[sk7326]

Ray Allen was a rotten defender his entire career - a winning situation plus a system that does not ask too much from him will do wonders.

High effort, low mistakes - do that, the defense will be fine

[PosImpos]

You're forgetting that the dude's 5'8'' in shoes.  Even if he's playing tenacious D, anybody over 6'1'' can shoot over him easily.

[Pucaccia]

You're forgetting that the dude's 5'8'' in shoes.  Even if he's playing tenacious D, anybody over 6'1'' can shoot over him easily.

Doesn't Eddie House have the same problem?  I doubt the other teams point guard is going to be looking to post up.

[Pucaccia]

Its not the fact that he cant play defense. Its that the effort hasnt been there in the past.

You could say that about any player on the Knicks except for David Lee.

[Greenbean]

Its not the fact that he cant play defense. Its that the effort hasnt been there in the past.

You could say that about any player on the Knicks except for David Lee.

David Lee cant play defense either.

[Greenbean]

You're forgetting that the dude's 5'8'' in shoes.  Even if he's playing tenacious D, anybody over 6'1'' can shoot over him easily.

Jumping ability offsets his height a bit so I would imagine he could contest shots better than most his size. Whether or not he actually jumps or is sprinting down the court to get to the offensive end is the question.

[EJPLAYA]

You're forgetting that the dude's 5'8'' in shoes.  Even if he's playing tenacious D, anybody over 6'1'' can shoot over him easily.

Any great defensive team lives with someone shooting OVER them. That isn't an issue. It is getting blown past that kills the unit. House played very well defensively against slower guards that he could keep his feet in front of. It was the fast ones that left him behind that were the problem. Rondo often allows his man to get past him trying to poke it out from behind which every once in a while works but usually results in the same breakdown House's defense did. Nate has the quickness to keep his guy in front of him. Tibs will demand that he puts that effort in or he won't see the floor much. If we get beat by people shooting over the top of Nate we can live with that.

[PosImpos]

You're forgetting that the dude's 5'8'' in shoes.  Even if he's playing tenacious D, anybody over 6'1'' can shoot over him easily.

Doesn't Eddie House have the same problem?  I doubt the other teams point guard is going to be looking to post up.

Eddie House does have the same problem - and he's totally awful at defense.

[LarBrd33]

nate's a 3 foot tall Marcus Banks.  He's a bum.

[Fafnir]

nate's a 3 foot tall Marcus Banks.  He's a bum.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=tFapr

I don't see it. I don't want him here long term, but he's not Marcus Banks.

[KG Living Legend]

You're forgetting that the dude's 5'8'' in shoes.  Even if he's playing tenacious D, anybody over 6'1'' can shoot over him easily.

 Your forgetting that nate has a 45 or so inch vertical. and eddie's is about 30. so while he's four inches shorter than eddie. He can also jump a lot higher, He's blocked Shaq and yao ming before. If he wants to try, He sure has the ability.

[crownsy]

Its not the fact that he cant play defense. Its that the effort hasnt been there in the past.

Also he has what i've labeled eddie house syndrome.

No matter how much effort he gives, just like eddie, at some point he's vastly undersized. Good guards who are much better than him can and will out physical him, no matter how much effort he gives.

Size matters in the NBA, espically on defense. Effort helps a ton, but at some point your going to get schooled if your 6 feet or under like eddie and nate and the guy across from you is 6'2 and has length.

[LarBrd33]

You're forgetting that the dude's 5'8'' in shoes.  Even if he's playing tenacious D, anybody over 6'1'' can shoot over him easily.

 Your forgetting that nate has a 45 or so inch vertical. and eddie's is about 30. so while he's four inches shorter than eddie. He can also jump a lot higher, He's blocked Shaq and yao ming before. If he wants to try, He sure has the ability.

Sweet... he sounds like Gerald Green mixed with 2009 Stephon Marbury... only if he was 3 feet tall.