Nomad Thomas Robinson not mad about his many moves

By Staff     Mar 4, 2015

article image
Philadelphia 76ers forward Thomas Robinson, center, grabs a rebound against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Darren Hauck)

One can’t help but wonder: Does Thomas Robinson just keep all of his things packed, just in case he has to move again?

Maybe now that he has landed in Philadelphia he can at least unpack a few go-to items for use in the next couple of months.

The often traded, once waived former lottery pick out of Kansas has endured quite the journey(s) since leaving KU following a run to the 2012 Final Four.

[SI.com’s Chris Mannix][1] caught up with the 6-foot-10 former King/Rocket/Trail Blazer (almost Nugget and Net) to discuss what kind of impact becoming a “roster filler” less than three years after entering the league as a top-five draft pick has had on him.

Already accustomed to being a man on the move, the recent NBA trade deadline in February brought about a bizarre few days for Robinson, who was:

– [traded from Portland to Denver][2]

– [ready to sign with the Brooklyn Nets][3]

– [and ultimately claimed off waivers by Philadelphia][4]

In just his third season in the NBA, Robinson already has worn the jerseys of Sacramento (51 games), Houston (19 games), Portland (102 games) and now Philadelphia, bouncing from city to city on one long road trip.

> “I could complain about it, but this
> is just my path,” Robinson told
> SI.com. “It’s the hand I have been
> dealt.”

In four games as a Sixer, Robinson has made the most of his limited playing time. Though he only averages 16.3 minutes since arriving in Philly, he is scoring 9.5 points and pulling down 7.3 rebounds, while making 46.9% of his shot attempts.

Monday night against Toronto (in another loss for the 13-47 Sixers, neck-deep in a long rebuilding overhaul), the high-energy power forward scored 13 points in 15 minutes.

Philadelphia coach Brett Brown, who saw management deal away some productive young players in Michael Carter-Williams and K.J. McDaniels less than two weeks ago, likes the way the 23-year-old forward asserts himself, describing him to SI.com as “a bull.”

> “He fits all the things we like when
> we identify keepers. It’s a look that
> we couldn’t pass up. He’s not going to
> have a better environment to have a
> legitimate chance to be a legitimate
> NBA player.”

http://instagram.com/p/zoQ-zMv1mi/

Robinson, [in a story by Tom Moore for mccall.com][5], pointed to Brown as a reason the transition to his latest team has felt easier than one might think.

> “I’m definitely more comfortable,”
> Robinson said. “Like I said, all
> credit to coach. He’s been talking to
> me every day since I’ve been here and
> just pretty much making me believe
> we’re on the same page I and we think
> I am as a player.”

The 76ers have 22 more games to play this season (and no playoffs). For Robinson, this qualifies as an open audition, because he becomes a free agent this summer.

> “I know what I can do,” Robinson told
> SI.com. “I’m just keeping it simple
> here: rebound, defend, get to the open
> spots. Energy and toughness is my
> game. That’s who I am as a player
> right now.”

By the time the 2015-16 season begins, odds are Robinson could be in his fifth NBA uniform, far away from Philly. It’s easy to envision him as a complimentary role player on a solid playoff team that needs a rebounder who will get after it when his name is called.

Don’t forget, though, if Robinson does move on, there will be another KU product making an impact in the City of Brotherly Love next season.

http://instagram.com/p/zvnXgwP1sX/

*- [Keep up with the production of all the ‘Hawks in the NBA daily at KUsports.com.][6]*

*- [Follow @BentonASmith on Twitter.][7]*

[1]: http://www.si.com/nba/2015/03/04/thomas-robinson-philadelphia-76ers-kings-rockets-blazers-nuggets
[2]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/hawks_nba/2015/feb/19/thomas-robinson-dealt-to-denver-nuggets/
[3]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/hawks_nba/2015/feb/23/report-thomas-robinson-to-sign-with-broo/
[4]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/hawks_nba/2015/feb/24/goodbye-brooklyn-philadelphia-claims-tho/
[5]: http://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-sixers-robinson-20150303-story.html
[6]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/mens_basketball/hawks_nba/
[7]: https://twitter.com/BentonASmith

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