Nate at Point Not so sure

[Induna]

I like Nate Robinson's new found attitude, his willingness to contribute, enthusiasm as a defender and occasional explosiveness as a defender. I have one problem with him as a Point Guard. The game just dies when he has the ball at the top of the key dribbling and looking clueless as the pattern of the offence unfolds. He does not seem to be able to anticipate the moves his team mates will make or the gaps that picks or defensive lapses will create. In short I don't think he reads the game the way a point guard should. I think that is the reason the second unit blew the lead yesterday.

[Dybdal]

Nate at the point has been discuessed even by Doc Rivers at length, Nate is doing what he can within the realm of his aiblitys.

He's getting better at it but the team is asking him to do something that isnt in his comfort zone and thats why we signed a certain hurt pointguard.

Its not perfect but it will do until Delonte is back and im proud to have Nate in a Celtics uniform, he's being asked more than anyone on this team to alter his game to suit the Celtics and he's doing it without complaining.

He's a trooper! like another small guard we had at some point, he buckles down and does whats asked of him.

[Induna]

I hear you it was just an observation Point Guard is one of the most difficult roles to master especially in a team where you are not needed as much for scoring. Like I said I love everything else he has brought to the team

[Bankshot]

Nate is playing hurt.  Judge him when he is well.  I thought he was doing a decent job before he hurt his foot.

[birdwatcher]

Nate is playing hurt.  Judge him when he is well.  I thought he was doing a decent job before he hurt his foot.

I agree--since his foot injury you can tell he's tentative, his defense has suffered more than his offense, as you can see that he's having a hard time staying in front of his man and relying on help behind him. He'll be okay. And with Delonte getting his cast off in just two weeks from now, he could make it back to the line up quicker than anyone expected.

[mgent]

I don't think Nate is as bad of a Point as some people make him out to be.  I do think he needs to LOOK FOR HIS OWN SHOT more.  He's too busy trying to get looks for Baby, who kinda sucks when his shot isn't falling and Marquis, who isn't really a good scorer on his own.  Unfortunately that's all our bench consists of right now (except for Semih who isn't even a real offensive option) so when they're not doing anything it's all up to him to spark us.

[Jon]

I think people are just getting spoiled by Rondo.  Does Nate look like an inferior playmaker compared to Rondo?  Sure.  But you could argue EVERY point guard in the league is an inferior playmaker compared to Rondo. 

I feel like most people's criticism of our bench players this year has been based on the fact that when the bench comes in, they're not as good as our starters.  Well, first of all, duh...they're the bench.  And second, we're especially spoiled given the fact that we have 4 (and potentially 5) Hall of Famers in our starting lineup. 

So, yes, Nate isn't perfect, but he's a pretty darn good option to have off of the bench and I don't see how we could've done better given our financial constraints.

[wdleehi]

I think Nate's talent are wasted trying to run the offense.  His best talent is scoring.  Putting the ball in his hand to run an offense takes a lot of that away.


It should be better when West returns and allows Nate to be the scorer he is.

[celtics2]

he should have the game plan down by now. Just amazing how dumbfounded he gets after crossing the center line. He's just a 2 that runs to a spot and fires away. That's fine for now till Delonte gets back. Playing point has taken him out of his natural flow. Luckily for him he has some savvy players in there.

[Bahku]

I hope Delonte's recovery is more rapid than is usual with a compound fracture of the wrist ... he has been so excited about his return to wearing green, and getting a second chance ... and Nate is so much more effective at the two spot. Here's hoping.

[More Banners]

Nate is quite possibly the best backup PG we've had in a long time, and certainly the best in the last 3 years.  So it should be no surprise that Danny signed him to that 2 yr, $8 million deal (which seems a bit much to me).

Still, isn't there a limit to what we can reasonably expect from a 5'9" PG in the NBA, especially one who's prior background is as a scorer/chucker in an anything-goes "system"?

Surely Nate is good, and has been reasonably effective in his packup PG role, but perhaps we should consider what a reasonable expectation for a backup PG should be before making judgments.  Nate has never been a distributor, so it should be no surprise that he's not a great one.  At 5-9, even with lightning speed to pass his defender, he won't score inside on penetration.

He is reasonably good at 1) getting the ball over half-court, and 2) shooting wide-open jumpers (too short to shoot over defenders), and 3) play pesky defense full-court. 

That's pretty much all he should be asked to do.

[Fafnir]

Nate is quite possibly the best backup PG we've had in a long time, and certainly the best in the last 3 years.  So it should be no surprise that Danny signed him to that 2 yr, $8 million deal (which seems a bit much to me).

$4 was pretty much the set market value for backup PGs this year. Ridnour, Blake, Sessions, etc..... all have gotten 4 per year.

I think Nate is better off scoring by penetrating that you give him credit for. He doesn't get to the rim much at all. But he drives and kicks as well as going past his man for an open jumper pretty well.

His biggest problem is his size prevents him from contesting jump shots properly when he's forced to rotate.

[Change]

Nate bought in big-time in this team ball. You can no longer consider him a chucker. But every now and then, I would love to see that offensive explosion. Especially @ home. The fans love Nate.

As far as running the point, he make do. He isn't natural point-guard. Nate is a scorer first who happens to able to handle the ball. However, He is making great strides adjusting to this new position. Give him some more time. He'll eventually master the position.

[TradeProposalDude]

I think Nate's talent are wasted trying to run the offense.  His best talent is scoring.  Putting the ball in his hand to run an offense takes a lot of that away.


It should be better when West returns and allows Nate to be the scorer he is.

I agree with this post, except I am not optimistic about West contributing this season. His injury looked really bad. What's worse is that he re-aggravated that wrist.

[LilRip]

would you rather have Nate or... Carlos Arroyo?

and let's not forget that Eddie House wasn't a great playmaker either.

like others have said, i wouldn't mind if nate had more of a scorer's mentality. I think if we let him freelance a bit more on offense, it would help him. He can score from anywhere on the floor and could probably be starting for the half the teams in the league.