Hoops Habit
Fansided

New York Knicks: Remembering Nate Robinson’s Summer League MVP

By Ed Easton Jr.

MINNEAPOLIS - JULY 15: Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks grimaces during the 2005 Minnesota Summer League on July 15, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS - JULY 15: Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks grimaces during the 2005 Minnesota Summer League on July 15, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Kevin Knox flourished during his NBA Summer League stint, but fans shouldn’t forget about Nate Robinson’s 2007 performance.

It’s no secret at this point that the New York Knicks may have a future star on their hands in first round selection Kevin Knox. His explosive performance in Las Vegas during NBA Summer League had the entire community buzzing that the Knicks may have actually found another young cornerstone player.

Knox earned All-Summer League First Team honors, averaging 23.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while showcasing all the reasons he deserved to be picked ahead of fellow rookie Michael Porter Jr. The former Kentucky Wildcat showed confidence and poise while delivering highlight dunks on unsuspecting opponents. It remains uncertain whether Knox will bring that same energy into training camp and eventually the regular season.

His performance will raise optimism of course, but Knicks have been through this situation with past summer leagues. The most obvious was back in 2007 when Nate Robinson decided to spend extra time at Summer League and played like a superstar, leading the team to a tournament championship. Robinson averaged 19 points, six assists and three rebounds a game on his way to league MVP honors.

During 2007, the Knicks were a beaten-down franchise with little hopes of recovering anytime soon. Robinson decided to go to Summer League before starting his third NBA season in hopes of impressing then head coach Isiah Thomas. He spoke with reporters back then giving his reasons for the success that summer.

"“We’re running the same offense here that we run under Isiah [Thomas] so that makes it easier for me,” Robinson said. “I know everybody’s spot. I can tell a guy where he should have caught the ball or that he should have taken a certain shot. I like to have fun and I’ve been having a good time,” Robinson said. “When I’m out there, I try to make other people relax so that they don’t think about other stuff. That’s the type of person I am.“I try to get better and better each game, That is my mentality each day. When I got here, I said I wanted to win and that I also wanted to lead the summer league in assists. I’ve been working on things like keeping my dribble alive longer.”"

Always a very entertaining player during his tenure with the Knicks, Robinson still wasn’t able to replicate the same success he had over the summer. He would go on to average 12 points per game mostly off the bench, while the Knicks would finish the 2007-08 season at a record of 23-59.

His motivation to get better during the Summer League games was admirable, as he always showed his intense passion on and off the court. Fans appreciated the effort, but those Knicks teams were bad enough that passion was all that could attract fans to stay and watch. This time around guys, like Knox and Kristaps Porzingis have much higher standards and future hope.

dark. Next. 2018 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

Knox’s impressive summer performance is nice to look back on and use for motivation, but just like Robinson’s MVP performance, it’s worth remembering that it’s only Summer League.

Home/New York Knicks