Nate Benching Saves Money

[Jeff]

this is pretty interesting - I don't think his salary determined if he was going to play or not, but I wonder how much they knew about this clause going into the trade

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5166870&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines

Boston Celtics guard Nate Robinson was benched for two games near the end of the regular season, and it cost him $1 million, while saving the team twice that amount.

A clause in Robinson's contract calls for him to make a $1 million bonus if he both played in at least 58 games and made the playoffs this season. Robinson's Celtics are in the postseason but he played in 56 games. As a result, the Celtics saved the $1 million they would have paid Robinson -- equivalent to a quarter of his reported annual salary -- and an additional $1 million they would have owed in luxury tax to the NBA (most of which would have been distributed to teams with payrolls below the luxury tax threshold).

[jordb2k5]

Wonder if he's mad about it never heard about the 58 games part.  I personally wouldn't mind seeing him resigned for another year and seeing hoe he can do withva whole season here. He can score the ball but needs work in other areas no doubt.

[Greenbean]

Wow who wouldn't be salty about that.

I still think we will need this guy sonner or later in these playoffs. I just keep thinking about the minimal role of Eddie House in the early rounds of the 08 playoffs before he became our go to energy guy off the bench.

Im sure we can work him in.

Unless that is he is pouting behind the scenes. However, from what I see of him on the bench, he seems like a team guy.

[Jeff]

didn't one local scribe indicate that the C's were surprised by his immaturity? (first of all, how could they have been surprised, did they never WATCH the guy?)

I give him credit though, he hasn't complained once - and the guy is on twitter 24/7

[wdleehi]

Good move.


Why spend another 2 million on a guy that can't crack the rotation?

[Birdbrain]

He sat more in NY then he did in Boston so I don't see point in bringing up Boston as the reason he didn't get his 2m. 

Plus I have hard time believing that a team paying out 60m a year wouldn't play a player who they thought could help to save 2m.  Doesn't make sense logically.

[Greenbean]

He sat more in NY then he did in Boston so I don't see point in bringing up Boston as the reason he didn't get his 2m. 

Plus I have hard time believing that a team paying out 60m a year wouldn't play a player who they thought could help to save 2m.  Doesn't make sense logically.

It's a good point but they benched him the last two games so they technically had the power to trigger that bonus but appeared that they chose not to.

[wdleehi]

He sat more in NY then he did in Boston so I don't see point in bringing up Boston as the reason he didn't get his 2m. 

Plus I have hard time believing that a team paying out 60m a year wouldn't play a player who they thought could help to save 2m.  Doesn't make sense logically.

He was out of the rotation at that point.  They seem to have no plans to bring him back.


Where is the shock they didn't want to spend more money.

[Greenbean]

didn't one local scribe indicate that the C's were surprised by his immaturity? (first of all, how could they have been surprised, did they never WATCH the guy?)

I give him credit though, he hasn't complained once - and the guy is on twitter 24/7

I haven't heard that no but I wonder what kind of immaturity.

The guy seems competitive and hyper energetic. Maybe it is too much. Kind of like how a puppy can be really cute but as soon as he starts chewing up the couch and peeing all over the place he becomes a chore to take care of.

Is it just his personality? Or does he not take coaching well and do whatever he wants on the court.

To me all indications are that Nate wasn't really playing his game when he was in there, just trying to blend in a la Marbury.

He showed flashes at times but was inconsistent. This is why he is not in the rotation.

From the outside he has looked like a great team guy but I guess you never know what goes on in practices or day to day stuff.

[makaveli]

Lol, pretty interesting stuff, and I feel sorry for him. It is was a smart move to make but a hard one I could imagine.

[Birdbrain]

He sat more in NY then he did in Boston so I don't see point in bringing up Boston as the reason he didn't get his 2m. 

Plus I have hard time believing that a team paying out 60m a year wouldn't play a player who they thought could help to save 2m.  Doesn't make sense logically.

It's a good point but they benched him the last two games so they technically had the power to trigger that bonus but appeared that they chose not to.

I could see that if they then started playing him when the playoffs started.  The benching appears to be nothing more than Doc believing he doesn't deserve the minutes.  I'm 50/50 with decision really because I still think they could work him in for a few minutes a game to see if he can provide a nice spark.  But have they really suffered in that regard I would say no although I still think at the end of the day there will be a point during these playoffs where Nate will in fact add a bit of energy through some big 3's.  Maybe this weekend in fact.  

[Birdbrain]

He sat more in NY then he did in Boston so I don't see point in bringing up Boston as the reason he didn't get his 2m. 

Plus I have hard time believing that a team paying out 60m a year wouldn't play a player who they thought could help to save 2m.  Doesn't make sense logically.

He was out of the rotation at that point.  They seem to have no plans to bring him back.


Where is the shock they didn't want to spend more money.

There is no shock I agree but, it wasn't because of money it was because they didn't think he should be playing.

[wdleehi]

He sat more in NY then he did in Boston so I don't see point in bringing up Boston as the reason he didn't get his 2m. 

Plus I have hard time believing that a team paying out 60m a year wouldn't play a player who they thought could help to save 2m.  Doesn't make sense logically.

He was out of the rotation at that point.  They seem to have no plans to bring him back.


Where is the shock they didn't want to spend more money.

There is no shock I agree but, it wasn't because of money it was because they didn't think he should be playing.

I think it is both. 

[Drucci]

Wow, shocking and funny story, I thought Nate had earned his 1 million bonus already!

It must be frustrating to lose such a bonus by missing only 2 games, bummer.

[slamtheking]

Wow, shocking and funny story, I thought Nate had earned his 1 million bonus already!

It must be frustrating to lose such a bonus by missing only 2 games, bummer.

I agree.  I would not be surprised if this impacts his decision to return (if the C's offer to resign him).

Would anyone happen to know if the reduced amount he actually earned this year would impact how much his salary could be raised next year by the C's?  (assuming the C's would make an offer that wasn't a salary reduction)  

I also wonder if this was one of the reasons Danny made the trade.  save 2 mill off the salary cap as well as cutting Landry.