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Robinson spends time working with McHale after practice

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by ScolaIsBallin, Feb 25, 2013.

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ScolaIsBallin Member

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Nice read.
http://www.csnhouston.com/basketball-houston-rockets/talk/after-practice-robinson-goes-extra-mchale

Practice was over and the rest of the Rockets quickly left the floor for a meeting.

Not Thomas Robinson. Not head coach Kevin McHale.

Instead, the Rockets’ head coach grabbed a basketball and called out “T-Rob!” and the two went to the far end of the practice court for some extra work.

One a 55-year-old Hall-of-Fame player, in his second basketball life. The other a 21-year-old rookie, No. 5 overall pick, probably too young to appreciate the magnitude of being taught by the former.

Together, the two worked on some big-man moves after the first practice in which Robinson and his Sacramento teammate Francisco Garcia were able to participate since they joined the team via trade.

“I’m excited,” Robinson said about working with McHale. “He’s one of the greats of the game.”

The two worked for about 10-15 minutes after the practice before pausing 20 feet from the near baseline to chat. Then, Robinson hit the showers and McHale posted up for his daily chat with reporters. Of course, the topic of McHale’s newest forward came up early and often.

“I assume if you would rebound, run and defend, coach might find a spot for you,” said McHale, who also likened the first day of practice with a new team to a first day of school.

Robinson has tremendous potential. He was the fifth overall pick in the last draft to the Kings but they were willing to send him to Houston in exchange for Patrick Patterson, Toney Douglas and Cole Aldrich.

Team leader James Harden said it will be easier for Robinson to earn minutes because of Robinson’s specific skill set.

“I think so because that was one of our assets that we didn’t have,” Harden said. “A big guy who’s active, who’s as versatile as him. It’s good that he can come in and contribute right away.”

But contributing right away might not be exactly what McHale has in mind. When discussing the way a player earns playing time, McHale talked about Donatas Motiejunas, who has very slowly gotten more playing time as he’s shown more and more in practice. But even still, Motiejunas has played in more than 15 minutes just twice this season, one of those times coming in the last game with a very short Rockets’ bench.

“We were trying to figure out how to get him in and stuff but (Motiejunas) just practiced hard enough, worked hard enough, that I was bound and determined that I would find him some minutes and it finally happened for him,” McHale said. “Practice is important.”

But Robinson isn’t Motiejunas. Robinson is a fifth overall draft choice. He’s a highly regarded player who said joining the Rockets is like a “second chance.” He was asked about living up to his high draft status on Monday.

“It’s not about that right now,” Robinson said. “I felt like I had something to prove coming into the draft and I didn’t get a chance to show that or whatever the case may be but, like I said, I got a second chance here and I got a long career ahead of me. My career will show.

“I’m not sure why it was the decision (for the Kings to trade him). I’m not sure why it was made, who made it and it’s over now. I’m a Houston Rocket and that’s what I’m focused on.”

Harden said it’s the responsibility of players, coaches and the entire organization to make the new players feel welcome.

Apparently it’s the job of the media too. On Monday as Robinson prepared to take part in his first practice, he had to ask a CSNHouston cameraman where the practice court was. The cameraman happily pointed it out to the newcomer and Robinson was on his way.

What will his role be? How much will he play?

“I’m just going to keep working every day,” Robinson said. “No matter how many minutes I get, I’ll give the same effort.”

And eventually he’ll be able to show that effort on the practice court. After all, at least now he knows where it is.
Click to expand...

anyone else think the "practice is important" quote could possibly be a jab at royce white?

#1 ScolaIsBallin, Feb 25, 2013

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For a minute there, I thought he spent a lot of time working after practice. But 10-15 minutes = lol.

#2 Outlier, Feb 25, 2013
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Lets Get it

#3 roadmatter, Feb 25, 2013
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Hate to nitpick, but when he said “I’m just going to keep working every day. No matter how many minutes I get, I’ll give the same effort,” I kind wish he hadn't added the "No matter how many minutes" part. :grin:

#4 sirbaihu, Feb 25, 2013
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Can I be sort of insensitive and say that I hope Mchale finds common ground with Robinson in the fact that they both have suffered great loss. I have yet to see (or at least hear) of a big man that Mchale has truly taken under his wing. I hope this is it!

#5 T FOR 3!!!, Feb 25, 2013
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T FOR 3!!! said: ↑

Can I be sort of insensitive and say that I hope Mchale finds common ground with Robinson in the fact that they both have suffered great loss. I have yet to see (or at least hear) of a big man that Mchale has truly taken under his wing. I hope this is it!
Click to expand...

And I'm referring to Rockets players..

#6 T FOR 3!!!, Feb 25, 2013
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Outlier said: ↑

For a minute there, I thought he spent a lot of time working after practice. But 10-15 minutes = lol.
Click to expand...

You fail to realize that both McHale and TRob are speed readers so
technically they practiced for 2days.....
.............
.............
.............

#7 BamBam, Feb 25, 2013

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ScolaIsBallin said: ↑

anyone else think the "practice is important" quote could possibly be a jab at royce white?
Click to expand...

No, I think it is a statement to the team, one they have heard. And heard. The trades were a reflection of the guys whose minutes are increasing more than the guys leaving IMO.

#8 xiki, Feb 25, 2013
bleedrockets Rookie

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he will start against Bucks

#9 bleedrockets, Feb 25, 2013
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hes the report I saw that Rockets have a contract ready for Bynum ..

http://www.rotoinfo.com/playerupdate/169246/Andrew-Bynum-C/

#10 rocketblood713, Feb 25, 2013
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BamBam said: ↑

You fail to realize that both McHale and TRob are speed readers so
technically they practiced for 2days.....
.............
.............
.............
Click to expand...

Hyperbolic Time Chamber?

#11 Sydeffect, Feb 25, 2013

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I can only image how good we are going to be when we get a real coach. I love our roster.

#12 darksoul35, Feb 25, 2013

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rocketblood713 said: ↑

hes the report I saw that Rockets have a contract ready for Bynum ..

http://www.rotoinfo.com/playerupdate/169246/Andrew-Bynum-C/
Click to expand...

In other news...I hope Celtics beat the Jazz on NBA TV

#13 bleedrockets, Feb 25, 2013

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bleedrockets said: ↑

In other news...I hope Celtics beat the Jazz on NBA TV
Click to expand...

just pointing it out lol

#14 rocketblood713, Feb 25, 2013
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McHale said. “Practice is important.”

*Royce faints*

#15 Amel, Feb 25, 2013
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Thanks for sharing. I really hope his second chance here works out.

#16 gate470, Feb 25, 2013
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True professional. I hope he retire a Rocket.

#17 jayhow92, Feb 25, 2013
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Harden called him an assets.

#18 dragonwill, Feb 25, 2013

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Pretty low swing McHale. What has Iverson done to you?

#19 CertifiedTroll, Feb 25, 2013
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McHale clearly is in love with Dmo.. that being said it's nice that he's reaching out to the new guy. If Trob wants playing time he's going to have to work hard in practice. But watching his interviews gives me a good feeling about him. He seems like a hard worker and a guy that doesn't feel entitled to minutes, which is great because he won't mess up the chemistry the team has already developed. Hopefully he's comfortable on the rockets and continues to work hard because his ceiling is pretty damn high.

#20 SwellyExpress, Feb 25, 2013

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