Nate Robinson has got to be one of my favorite players in the NBA.
I've been in love with the guy since his days as a U-Dub Husky and now with the Knicks not only because he shares the same name as my favorite rapper (hint: Snoop Dogg's older cousin) but because he is a 5-foot-9 combo guard who can jump straight over Spud Webb and dunk! He is an athletic freak with a 43.5 inch
vertical and before walking on to the bball team at Washington was a highly touted cornerback on the football team.
So this is me officially campaigning for his candidacy as a fantasy sleeper this season. The cat's out of the bag with David Lee, who will have all that untapped potential put to use under coach Mike D, but for most folks the jury is still out on Nate.
Where will he get his PT? Where does he fit in D'Antoni's crowded rotation? These are some of the reasons to be skeptical.
While none of the answers to these questions are currently set in stone, I'd like to take a minute to speculate.
Nate saw a 5 minute/game boost last season from the previous year and a mild increase in fantasy production, landing a spot as a fringe option in deeper leagues. He finished off with 26 MPG, averaging roughly 13, 3 and 3. Under D'Antoni, I expect similar minutes as the Knicks have a relatively deep backcourt with himself, Crawford, Duhon and Marbury all vying for court time. But it appears he has solidified a spot in the new coach's rotation as one of the first men off the bench, bringing his unique size and scoring ability as a change of pace to the game.
Nate garners value as a top flight fantasy sleeper this season because of his history in up tempo offenses. That's how they rolled at U-Dub when he led the Huskies to the sweet 16 in 2005, earning third team All American honors in the process. Here are some stats you'll like:
U-Dubb Junior Season: 35 G/31 MPG/46 FG%/78 FT%/1.8 3 PM/16.4 PPG/4.5 APG/1.7 SPG/2 TO
He was a hit in Vegas this Summer, earning MVP honors and acting as if he were a 10-year vet by teaching his teammates how to play and directing traffic as an outstanding point guard. That stellar play carried over to the preseason in which he finished the NBA's fifth leading scorer at 18.7 PPG.
He's only 24 and is still a few years away from entering his prime. His growth this offseason makes me feel a little bit better in my predicting capabilities because I've been high on him for a long time. He's a guy who's about to start turning my predictions into reality and as such gets my nod as potential fantasy sleeper of the year.
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