The Invisible Nate Robinson

New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson has probably been invisible much of his life because, keep it real, he stands a mere 5 foot 9 inches and weighs 180 pounds.  This is not to mention the fact that, prior to last night, he had posted 14 consecutive “Did Not Plays” (DNPs) in the midst of rumors he would be traded to a new team. But after dropping 41 points in an overtime win against the Atlanta Hawks, Robinson is proof of a 6ixth Man quality I learned while playing college hoop – “Even When You’re Not Playing, You’re being Watched”

Equate not playing to insignificance because that’s exactly what it translates to when you’ve been a marquee factor before and now are relegated to a non-contributing role. From uttermost to “guttermost” the fall from grace can be rapid and humiliating. And I’ve learned and am learning that it’s in that time that you’re typically scrutinized the most. Stephon Marbury used to play for this same New York Knicks organization and got to a point similar to that of Robinson’s. But when the DNPs mounted, he checked out mentally, mouthed off publicly and sealed his fate as a New York Knick.

There’s a storm however that every professional must whether and by professional I mean someone who takes their work seriously enough to not squander it. I had heard that Robinson’s coach told him to “hang tough” during the rumblings and he did just that. He scored 11 points in the overtime period and looked anything but rusty last night. Guys who get DNPs usually end up MIA (missing in Action). Mental toughness is found lacking and before long “invisibility” drives the player to a state of anger-based behavior that proves cancerous. Nate Robinson is the symbol of patience and professionalism on this second day of 2010. Talk about putting the past behind you. I guess today really is the day of salvation because its choices are all that lie in your control.