Nate Robinson Dunks On Lakers Thrice

You may recall what I wrote about Evan Turner after Philly clobbered LA a week or so ago: that he was "all the lameness" for throwing down a 360 windmill dunk in the game's final seconds and then acting like a remorseful puppy dog who had just been scolded for peeing on the carpet.  Though the dunk itself didn't bother me in the least --- I rather enjoyed it, actually --- Turner's subsequent series of apologies to each individual Laker was unwarranted, and rather pathetic.  Having been blown out by a substandard Sixers squad, the Lakers had no one to be angry at but themselves; and Turner had nothing to be sorry for until he subjected the Lakers to an unwelcome series of underhanded pleasantries.  In short, Evan Turner's blatant defiance and then attempted observance of a stupid NBA formality came off as entirely contradictory and appeased nobody.

Enter Nate Robinson.  Sunday night, as the Nuggets became the latest beatable opponent to waltz into Staples and trounce the Lakers, Robinson, all of 5'8", dunked the ball three times in the game's final three minutes.  Unlike Evan Turner, Robinson payed no mind to Los Angeles except to provoke its fans.  Robinson mugged, gestured, and swung on the rim until earning himself a technical foul for taunting.  Soon, he will write the league a three-thousand-dollar check with the proudest of grins on his face.

Note that Stu Lantz, a former Laker and longtime color analyst for the team, derides his own team for its lack of effort, not Nate Robinson for his antics.  Coach Mike D'Antoni's postgame comments suggest a similar sentiment.  After all, it ought not be difficult to put a body on one of the league's most diminutive players. 

But instead of boxing out, the Lakers sulked, allowing themselves to be humiliated in their own building.  In refusing to relent during garbage time, Robinson did nothing but provide his team, which has been struggling in its own right, with an enthusiastic boost.  Dealing with the suspension of disgruntled veteran Andre Miller, the Nuggets needed an injection of morale.  Robinson's lighthearted showboating, if nothing else, gave his teammates reason to smile and cheer together.

And it gave us sneaker enthusiasts a nice view of his Gamma Blue XIIs.*

This is why we love you, Nate.










*In other sneaker news, observe Phil Pressey's Zoom Gloves, and what JR Smith did to Shawn Marion's laces.