Clippers sign Nate Robinson to 10-day deal
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers have signed guard Nate Robinson to a 10-day contract.
Robinson joined the team Saturday and will be available to play Sunday against the Golden State Warriors.
“It’s just that we needed another guy and to me he has the most experience,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said Saturday. “You know, we’d rather have a 3 or someone like that probably, but when I look at it I don’t really care about positions sometimes. I’d rather get a guy that’s been in the league, can score and has experience.”
“I know Nate. I’ve coached him. So I have a comfort there.”
The Clippers had been interested in Robinson after he became available in January, but the need to add the 30-year-old guard grew after Jamal Crawford was sidelined with a right calf contusion earlier this week. The Clippers are not sure when Crawford will be able to return.
“I just know from last year he was out 10 or 15 days — maybe longer, I think,” Rivers said. “It’s the same injury, so why not bring another guy in until he comes back?”
The Boston Celtics reached a buyout with Robinson on Jan. 14 after he was traded to the team from the Denver Nuggets. Robinson was averaging only 5.8 points in 14.1 minutes per game with the Nuggets.
“I’ve just been working out, going back from L.A. to Seattle, trying to stay in the best shape as I could,” Robinson said Saturday.
Robinson added that he felt Los Angeles was his best landing spot among his potential suitors.
“[Chicago] was one of the options along with the Wizards, the Cavs and a couple of other teams,” he said. “But the Clippers were really on me, so I think this will be a better fit.”
Robinson played for Rivers in Boston for parts of the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons and also formed a memorable 1-2 punch off the bench with current Clippers forward Glen Davis during the Celtics’ run to the 2010 NBA Finals.
“Just being here and being under Doc’s system again is definitely going to be comfortable for me,” Robinson said Saturday. “I know all the plays, so it won’t be hard to really just come in and just help the team and run a team how he wants me to.”
Robinson posted a photo of himself in a Clippers No. 8 jersey shortly after signing his deal on Saturday.
A video posted by Nate Robinson (@naterobinson) on
Matt Barnes also posted a photo of Robinson with the caption: ” Been waiting on this day for a min.. Wanna welcome my lil homie @naterobinson to the CLIPS!!! Need our fans to show em some LOVE!! #MISSINGPIECE”
Beyond his familiarity and comfort level with Rivers, Robinson said he’s excited to be reunited with teammate Jamal Crawford.
“I played with Jamal since high school,” Robinson said. “I was a freshman when he was a senior. Played on the Knicks together, so this’ll be our third go-around. And it’ll be pretty cool.”
Information from ESPN.com contributor Andrew Han was used in this report.
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