Thomas Robinson finally getting a real opportunity with Sixers

Share

LOS ANGELES — There are interesting career paths and then there is Thomas Robinson's journey.

Robinson averaged 17.7 points and 11.9 rebounds in 31.8 minutes per game during his junior year at Kansas. His collegiate accomplishments earned him the No. 5 overall selection by the Sacramento Kings in the 2012 NBA draft.

Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bradley Beal and Dion Waiters went before Robinson, with Damian Lillard selected one spot after him.

Robinson has logged 2,542 minutes in his three NBA seasons. The other five players mentioned have played between 5,000 and 8,500 minutes.

To say Robinson's NBA career has been a rocky one is an understatement.

During his rookie season, Robinson played in 51 games with the Kings and averaged 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in 15.9 minutes a night. Limited in the Kings' crowded frontcourt, Robinson was dealt to the Houston Rockets at the deadline of his first season.

Robinson put up similar numbers with the Rockets (4.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 13.0 minutes a game) before being traded again in the summer to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Robinson appeared to find a home with the Blazers. He played in 70 games during the 2013-14 season, averaging 4.8 points and 4.4 boards in 12.5 minutes a night. Robinson tried to solidify his place with the team by playing in the Las Vegas summer league in 2014 only to suffer a thumb injury.

Still, Robinson returned in 2014-15 with the same determination to prove himself. His averages slipped in points, rebounds and minutes. However, he did make four starts for injured All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge and improved his field goal percentage to a career-best 51.6.

In the end, that wasn't enough for the Blazers, who shipped Robinson to the Denver Nuggets at the trade deadline in February.

When the Nuggets waived Robinson shortly after the trade, the Sixers pounced on the 24-year-old power forward. And it's been nothing but a positive situation on both sides.

In 13 games with the Sixers, Robinson is averaging career highs with 8.8 points and 8.4 rebounds in 17.1 minutes a contest. His per-36-minute averages are a whopping 18.5 points and 17.7 rebounds.

"He is not playing big minutes, but when you give him those eight-minute sections he gives you that energy and toughness," head coach Brett Brown said of Robinson after the Sixers' loss to the Lakers on Sunday. "He has been good for us since he has arrived."

Robinson, who scored 14 points and pulled down eight boards against the Lakers, insists his improved production is simply tied to finally getting a real shot.

"I never played this much before," he said. "I never played this consistent, but I thought I could. It is just the first time I am getting an opportunity."

While Robinson was expected to be a top-flight player right out of college with his high draft selection, things don't always work out that way.

Chauncey Billups was the No. 3 pick overall in the 1997 draft by the Boston Celtics. Five years later, Billups was on his fifth team with the Detroit Pistons. The point guard ended up guiding that team to an NBA Championship and winning NBA Finals MVP.

In his time with the Pistons, Billups went to six straight Eastern Conference Finals, two NBA Finals, won a title, was named an All-Star three times and all-NBA three times. He retired last September with that one championship ring, five All-Star Game appearances and countless other accolades.

Robinson has long way to go to reach the same status as Billups. However, with the Sixers in a rebuilding stage and a place where there are plenty of minutes to be had, Robinson now has the stage to show just what he can do.

"This time of year is tough mentally if you are not playing for something," Robinson said. "It is all about the organization now. It is not about the playoffs. It is about us in this locker room. We want to go out with momentum. We want to go into the summer with a platform to build on. That is all that matters right now."

Contact Us