The young guys and the new guys have been all the rage this week at Nets camp. Clifford Robinson is not new and he’s certainly not young, but Lawrence Frank said the 39-year-old forward will have a giant role on this year’s squad.
“Cliff is great,” Frank said. “Cliff comes into camp in great shape. He’s an elite post defender, great pick-and-roll defender, stretches the defense, good basketball IQ. Cliff is a constant.”
Robinson turns 40 in December, and after 17 years in the NBA, he said he’s not ready to slow down yet, that his competitive fire continues to burn like a blast furnace. While many guys his age are turning to golf and fishing for recreation, Robinson is still trying to be a better baller.
“For me, my personal goal is just come in and play better than I did last year,” Robinson said yesterday. “I thought I had a good season last year, but I want to have a better season this year.”
Last season with the Nets, Robinson averaged 6.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 80 appearances as the primary backup for down-low starters Jason Collins and Richard Jefferson. But it hasn’t all been peaches and cream for Robinson. The dark cloud hanging over his tenure in New Jersey came when he was suspended during last season’s playoffs for violating the NBA’s drug policy. It was his second suspension in as many years. His absence helped the eventual champion Heat eliminate the Nets in five games in the second round.
But in an obvious sign that the Nets were prepared to overlook his off-court woes, the team signed Robinson for another year this summer after originally declining to exercise a $2.5 million option on his previous contract. Now Robinson is back in camp and trying to set an example for a crop of new players eager to take his job.
“I think everyone pushes each other,” Frank said. “Everyone’s competing. Cliff obviously knows what’s expected here. He’s got a lot of leadership ability and skills.”