Nuggets’ Nate Robinson swishes perfectly absurd shot-clock-beating 30-plus-foot turnaround J (Video)
Nate Robinson went from lightly regarded free-agent signing to full-fledged folk hero during his time with the Chicago Bulls two seasons ago. He only lasted one year in the Windy City (Nate never stays in one place for very long) but he made a very distinct mark, stepping into the backcourt scoring void created by the absence of injured point guard Derrick Rose with the sort of panache — the drive-through-an-opponent’s-legs, wear-Yeezys-during-a-game, drill-game-winners, feud-with-Steve-Novak, inspire-tattoos, win-triple-OT-thrillers, stun-the-Heat and block-LeBron swagger — that makes feisty and diminutive underdogs into confirmed fan favorites.
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It was only fitting, then, that the 30-year-old Robinson gave the United Center faithful another bit of fried absurdity to remember him by during the third quarter of his Denver Nuggets’ preseason visit to Chicago on Monday night:
With just less than four minutes remaining in the frame and the Nuggets trailing by eight, Denver guard Randy Foye drove into the teeth of the Chicago defense before being turned back by big man Pau Gasol. Foye kicked the ball back out to teammate Jusuf Nurkic, who did what any 7-foot rookie’s going to do when he gets the ball 20 feet away from the basket with less than four seconds on the shot clock — give it to literally anyone else. Luckily for him, the nearest available teammate was Robinson, who calmly corralled a bad pass a mile or so beyond the 3-point line, promptly discharged the flaming bag he was handed … and connected from very long distance.
Of course he did. This was basically a perfect Nate Robinson shot.
The official box score called it a 30-footer, while the league’s YouTube channel pegged it at 40 feet; the former’s probably closer to correct, but the latter sure feels more accurate.
After the game, which the Bulls went on to win, 110-90, thanks to 21 points and six rebounds from swingman Jimmy Butler, Robinson — who had five points, two rebounds and three turnovers in 11 minutes as he continues to work his way back from a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee — discussed his bailout balling, according to Mark Strotman of Comcast SportsNet Chicago:
Robinson ran down the court with a smile on his face, and Tom Thibodeau even had to smirk at the classic Nate shot.
“I looked up and saw I only had about two seconds, I just had to get it up,” Robinson said. “It was a crazy shot that just went in.”
Though just preseason action, it was an emotional night for Robinson, who received a loud chorus of cheers when he entered the game in the third quarter. In fact, the cheers continued well into Kirk Hinrich’s second free throw attempt, a rarity for a home crowd. […]
“It gave me chills,” he said. “It was a flashback for me and all the good times I had here. The signs and other things from the fans were great. Chicago knows how to treat its players. I will always have a special place in my heart for this city.”
On Monday night, that special place was about 35 feet away from the basket on the left wing.
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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
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