Thomas Robinson:comparisons,potential?

[C-izMe]

Ceiling - Horace Grant
Floor - More energetic Jordan Hill

[GoBobs]

What about a LA comparison?

[C-izMe]

What about a LA comparison?

Nowhere near enough skill and versatility yet. Anything but rebound, and block LMA does at an elite level for a PF. Robinson could have LMA as a ceiling if he was this good out of high school but to be a junior and be this raw shows an obvious limit on his iq (not saying its low, it just isn't LMA high. His energy is spectacular though).

[nugzin2040]

I keep hearing Faried comparisons and I just don't get it.

I'd go with a poor man's Blake Griffin. Really needs to refine his offensive game, pass out of double teams better, and not force as many tough contested shots. A lot of his offense was dunks and alley-oops in college.

I'd hesitate heavily taking him in the top 5, but it's likely that some team does.

[TheSuzerain]

T-Rob isn't meant to be a main option on offense, but he was forced into that role last year at Kansas. This caused some ugly games when he played legitimate defense (Kentucky).Whoever said he could be a 2nd option is way off. If everything breaks right, he could be a 3rd option, but realistically this is a guy that will be about a 4th or 5th option on a contending team.

The offensive skill he has that will play right away is the faceup game. He has nice handles for his size. Occasionally he would flash a spin move in college that would clearly illustrate that he is far more coordinated than the average college big. He should be able to consistently get to the line with this skill.

He is simply too short and lacks natural touch to ever be much of a post scorer. So his final grade on offense comes down to the development of his jumper. If he can get his midrange down to a respectable level, he suddenly has a decent offensive game. Faceup game/Midrange shooter is an effective combo that can keep defenses off balance.

He was an elite rebounder in college, and that is a pretty sure bet to translate to the NBA. So after offense and rebounding, the poor man's Blake Griffin comparison is pretty accurate for me.

Last year at college T-Rob was pretty bad at defense. This is due mostly to the heavy offensive burden he had. Plus he had Jeff Withey next to him to erase a lot of mistakes. Still, he has the tools, so if he lands in the right environment, I think he could develop into a nice defensive piece. He won't be a defensive stopper, but he should become a decent post and help defender.

Intangible wise, he has obviously been through a lot which speaks to his motivation and toughness. I can personally speak for his competitiveness. He doesn't like to lose.

I think he is a high floor pick who can contribute right away. I don't see star potential for T-Rob. He may have appeared like a future star at times last year, but that had more to do with the lack of quality in collegiate big men. It was really hilarious how badly TRob outclassed guys last year by every physical measure. He won't enjoy quite a physical advantage in the League. If his jumper breaks right and he commits to defense, I see him as one of those very good player who never quite make the all star team. Which is worthy of a top 5 pick in this draft.

[vincecarter4pres]

T-Rob isn't meant to be a main option on offense, but he was forced into that role last year at Kansas. This caused some ugly games when he played legitimate defense (Kentucky).Whoever said he could be a 2nd option is way off. If everything breaks right, he could be a 3rd option, but realistically this is a guy that will be about a 4th or 5th option on a contending team.

The offensive skill he has that will play right away is the faceup game. He has nice handles for his size. Occasionally he would flash a spin move in college that would clearly illustrate that he is far more coordinated than the average college big. He should be able to consistently get to the line with this skill.

He is simply too short and lacks natural touch to ever be much of a post scorer. So his final grade on offense comes down to the development of his jumper. If he can get his midrange down to a respectable level, he suddenly has a decent offensive game. Faceup game/Midrange shooter is an effective combo that can keep defenses off balance.

He was an elite rebounder in college, and that is a pretty sure bet to translate to the NBA. So after offense and rebounding, the poor man's Blake Griffin comparison is pretty accurate for me.

Last year at college T-Rob was pretty bad at defense. This is due mostly to the heavy offensive burden he had. Plus he had Jeff Withey next to him to erase a lot of mistakes. Still, he has the tools, so if he lands in the right environment, I think he could develop into a nice defensive piece. He won't be a defensive stopper, but he should become a decent post and help defender.

Intangible wise, he has obviously been through a lot which speaks to his motivation and toughness. I can personally speak for his competitiveness. He doesn't like to lose.

I think he is a high floor pick who can contribute right away. I don't see star potential for T-Rob. He may have appeared like a future star at times last year, but that had more to do with the lack of quality in collegiate big men. It was really hilarious how badly TRob outclassed guys last year by every physical measure. He won't enjoy quite a physical advantage in the League. If his jumper breaks right and he commits to defense, I see him as one of those very good player who never quite make the all star team. Which is worthy of a top 5 pick in this draft.

I would agree with a lot of this post, although I think he can definitely be a 3rd option on a contending team.

If what you describe him needing to do on offense actually happens, that is when he becomes a very good 3rd option.

Also I would add if he winds up in the right situation, he could really blossom as a pick and roll and pick and pop player.

That and what you already describe is where I see the David West and Nene aspect.

David West would have been a great 3rd option on a contender if that Hornets team had a high level 2nd option like a Granger instead of Peja.


The other thing, you think he was a bad defender?

I thought he was a pretty good defender, even against big time matchups.


Love his attitude and work ethic though. I could see him becoming a 17/10 to 12/2/1/1 guy who plays great defense and is a deadly low usage third option on a super strong playoff team. A guy that makes a few All Star games over his career and most of the years he doesn't make it is always amongst the "snubs" being discussed.


A lot is going to matter on how he measures. If he's 6'8 in socks with a 7 foot + wingspan I think he's in good company. He plays bigger then his height on defense and is quite athletic with solid laterals and recovery speed to play the P'n'R and face up 4's.


You can definitely see where he struggles from the field when he's gone up against NBA sized and athletic big men on offense though, but like you mentioned, he's got a great knack of getting to the line, especially when he's having an inefficient game from the field.

That to me is one of the main things that makes the Al Horford comparison(the PF only version) a bad one. Horford puts almost zero pressure on the opposing D, his foul drawing is borderline pathetic. Although in college this wasn't nearly as much a problem for Al, so we'll see if this ability carries over for Robinson or not. But Horford is basically nothing more then a baseline jump shooter and occasional(but underutilized) P'n'R guy. His post game is almost nonexistent and his handle and face up game is pretty awful.


All in all, Thomas Robinson might wind up nothing more then a garbage man, but it will in my opinion be an elite garbage man if that's the case, like a rich man's Kris Humphries or a more legitimately sized Paul Millsap and that's a great player to have.

[TheSuzerain]

He gave better effort on D in the big games (epic block against Mizzou) which bodes well, but on average he was pretty lazy about it. He is very athletic, coordinated, and strong, but he doesn't have elite length or shot blocking instincts as evidenced by only averaging 1 block per game. I project him as a decent defender if he commits to that side of the ball, far from a liability but not impactful.

His meal ticket is rebounding the ball.

I agree with you for the most part, though.

[jangles86]

Tristan Thompson

[old rem]

Robinson is not BIG for PF but is pretty quick + agile and WAS a very potent rebounder on a top team. What stands out is his progress,motor,learning curve. His improvement trend suggests a good work ethic, good smarts and instincts. He can add some shooter's touch + range,play SF,but I'd rather he be a PF who moves well but still boards like a real PF. A lot may depend on the style his next team plays, and his role in it. Several of the teams apt to pick top 4 seem a bit more set at PF than SF. The Wiz would be a team apt to start Robinson as PF, having Blatch be the 3rd big and playing some C,some PF.

Bobs? Maybe Biyumbo + Mullin share C and T Rob plays PF, but as likely he'd be put into the SF slot mostly.
Not sure how Clev would us him. Toronto? Toronto would likely try to us him more at SF. Sac...mostly SF but might see him ultimately at PF, similar with GSW,looking ultimately at PF but may get more minutes as a SF at first. Blazers? If you assume they start LMA and Batum...and then draft T Rob, I guess they are going a bit small but quick. I think they would LIKE LMA at PF,so may be apt to draft to position...C or G.

[ManualRam]

t-rob shouldnt see any time at the SF position. none.

[Steely Reserve]

lol @ Robinson being a SF

[dbodner]

Lesser version of Antonio McDyess.