Impatient a little? As bad as this team is, I can't believe that the comments being made. I seem to be out of step with everyone I respect but I ain't movin'. TRob has been asked to play center on the SL team and self admittedly, he has a lot of basketball to learn. We drafted a guy who has an upside and we are hoping it is very high. In one session with the small ball King, Smart, he played more like a PF. It seems clear to me that the positional coaching he received in the past was poor or maybe he really is an absolute dud. No shades of gray. One or the other.
I happen to think he has a lot to learn and am cautiously optimistic that he WILL learn. This first year will be a major learning experience.
I am being realistic. The way this team is currently constructed JT is the best player to start next to Cousins. Not necessarily more talented but best fit. I think even Hayes might be a better fit at the moment than Robinson who is the most talented of the 3. Robinson is a great rebounder but he also likes to score. I am looking at our team and I absolutely believe that in order to as successful as possible with this roster, there needs to be a balancing act.
Next to Cousins, you want a role player. A rebounder, defender and solid passer. JT brings energy, rebounding and is a solid passer and defender. Hayes brings, defence, some rebounding and passing. Robinson brings rebounding, scoring and some nice passing. I happen to think that Robinson might be best used off the bench at this stage as an energy guy. I think he could cause some major damage with the second unit.
Lets say, JT is the starter (and should remain so until Robinson earns the position):
Cousins
Thomson
Johnson
Evans
Thomas
To me that is the most balanced line up to start off with and could be solid defensively. You clearly have Cousins and Reke as main scoring options, IT also likes to score. JJ is there as a role player on the wing and JT is there as a role player down low.
With that in mind, if you unleash Brooks, Thornton and Robinson on to other team's second units, you are getting an advantage and you are balanced with both inside and outside scoring and guy that all love to run.
Even if you start Hayes as a defender and someone to set picks and pass the ball offensively, you can roll out JT, Robinson, MT and Brooks. My rationale was more about the balance, than being impatient with Robinson. He is a rookie and clearly has a way to go until he becomes a consistent and takes away the starting spot from JT. He should earn that spot and not get it because he is a 5th pick in the draft.
This team has enough talent and competition at the spot and its not the case of Tyreke's rookie year where the roster was shambles. As is stands right not, Robinson has 2 vets ahead of him. One that has proven to be the best fit next to Cousins so far and a veteran defensive player who is a rare role player on this team.
As a rookie, easier transition for Robinson and for us would be if he came off the bench. That is where I think he would be most productive for us at this stage.
