10 Feet High

In the day and age of early college exits and unrealized potential, Stanley Robinson is a revelation. When Robinson came to Jim Calhoun as a talented, albeit very green freshman, he was strictly an athlete. Four years later, he is a basketball player.

Robinson is the unquestioned leader of an improving UConn team that without him is nowhere near the NCAA Tournament bubble it currently sits on. Against second-ranked Syracuse recently, he showed why.

In a hellish game of the utmost importance for the Huskies, Robinson came out of the gate in a frenzy, dominating much of the first half with his aggressive takes to the basket and violent dunks. While his teammates seemed sluggish and unable to match the Cuse's intensity early on, Robinson’s strong will and intensity set the tone. Despite the tough loss, he made a case for the nation’s premier senior, and helped solidify his first-round draft status come June.

At 6-9, hovering around 220 pounds, Robinson is an excellent leaper, has a terrific first step, and is a very willing rebounder. An explosive driver who finishes above the rim, he has also developed a consistent mid-range game, seemingly comfortable out to 16 feet.

Not unlike his Big East counterpart Wesley Johnson, Robinson is a versatile player capable of defending multiple positions, offensively skilled enough to play both the three and the four. Some scouts say he’s somewhat of a tweener – which is the ultimate NBA no-no, at least in terms of draft stock. Guys that don’t really have a true position have a way of plummeting down the charts. Just ask DeJuan Blair. We’ve seen successful college players struggle as pros because of this, but then again, in today’s NBA game, there is a place for tweeners.

Players like Paul Millsap are in a perfect spot when they are on teams surrounded by scorers like Mehmet Okur, Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer because the Millsaps of the world take care of the intangibles - cleaning up the glass, hustle plays, helping maximize their abilities.

The bottom line is that there are more tweeners like this in the game today than there were 20 years ago – especially in the 6-6 to 6-9 range. Back then, you had a more traditional 3-5 line-up (think Boston Celtics with Bird, McHale and Parish). Case in point: what position does Josh Smith really play? Is he a three or a four? Is Stephen Curry really a point guard? Or is he a combo guy? There is a certain amount of juggling around versatile players today that didn't used to happen.

The aspect to consider with a player like Robinson is that the tweener status he has been deemed as can actually be a good thing. So he’s not your conventional small forward. That’s okay. He’s such a high-level athlete that he will disrupt scorers and create problems for defenses. He used four years of college to strengthen his body, so even though he’s not a bulky post defender, he is very capable to guarding guys on the block, as well as finish through contact.

Because he is an explosive athlete, Robinson is a high-ceiling, high-upside type of player. He is a senior, yes, but still just 21, there is plenty of room for growth. If he can extend his range out to the three and improve his handle, he will be a solid NBA player. Robinson reminds me a bit of Gerald Henderson, the Charlotte forward and rookie out of Duke. Although he doesn’t have quite the same feel and natural instincts, Robinson is the type of talent akin to Henderson that could have a similar impact contributing in all facets of the game.

The lack of a pure basketball feel is my largest concern with him. Against the aggressive, trap-oriented press defense of Villanova recently, Robinson was a turnover machine, hesitant to dribble and errant on his passes. It culminated midway through the second half when he literally walked with the basketball after looking extremely uncomfortable with the ball in his hands. All in all, Robinson finished the game with 7 turnovers to go along with his 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 assists.

This is the type of impact he can have, both negatively and positively. He has the talent to contribute immediately, but at what price? And is this is a kid who lacks the innate basketball feel necessary to fully develop and maximize his raw talents?

Despite his struggles, Robinson gives you more good than bad. He is a high energy kid who rebounds the ball (7.5 per game) and defend (more than 1 block per game and 1 steal).

He must work on his line-drive shot to become a more consistent outside shooter, but even so, he connects on over 36 percent of his threes. And because he attacks the rim so well, many of his field goal attempts are close to the basket, hence his staggeringly high 51 percent shooting percentage.

He is a rangy athlete with excellent length and decent enough quickness to guard smaller players. The emotional issues evident last season are apparently solved, as Calhoun has said this is one of his favorite kids he’s ever coached.

I don’t think he belongs in the lottery, but he should go in the late teens, as an immediate impact guy, who will never blossom into elite status, but will contribute at both ends of the floor and help you win ball games. If I had to give him a grade, right now it’d be a “C+,” with the potential to one day become a “B.” Robinson won’t be an All-Star, but neither will most of this draft class, so getting him in the 15-20 area could be a steal.

Here is my exclusive interview with Wizards two-time All-Star Caron "Tough Juice" Butler, who is having another productive season for Washington, averaging nearly 17 points and 7 rebounds. It should be noted that our conversation took place before the Gilbert Arenas saga, or else I may have gotten a dial tone.

Q. What was it like growing up in Wisconsin?
A. It was fun, for the most part growing up in a small-knit community where everyone knows everybody. Wisconsin’s a great place to live, Racine in particular. Obviously I had my share of run-ins with the law, been through my adversity and everything, but I truly enjoyed growing up in Wisconsin. It’s a place that I always call home.

Q. I understand Cowboys QB Tony Romo is quite the basketball player, and that you played against him a few times.
A. Obviously we all know what he do on the football field, but he’s an unbelievable athlete, great basketball player, and somebody you know that I beat out for Mr. Basketball in the county. And it was a close race, that’s how good he was, so I tip my hat off to him. He’s a great athlete.

Q. Who is the best player in the NBA from UConn not named Caron Butler, and you can’t say Ray Allen?
A. The best player in the NBA from UConn, and it’s not me or Ray Allen, I have to say Richard Hamilton.

(Through the many Connecticut greats, Allen and Hamilton are two of the best ever to come out of Storrs)

Q. Is there somewhat of a UConn brotherhood in the league, considering how many of you guys there are?
A. Yeah, definitely, definitely, you know every summer we go back and either we playing in a golf tournament or playing in a basketball classic for coach Calhoun. It’s always great to go back there and play against your brothers and your peers and guys that you brought in, or played along side with. It’s a strong family, a basketball program that I’m proud to be a part of.

Q. Obviously in the NBA you’re traveling around a lot. Are there certain cities – maybe like Miami or LA – that are more challenging to play in considering the distractions they invite?
A. There are a few cities that stick out in particular. You look at places like Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, even Washington, there’s a lot of distractions off the court that can kinda, you know, bother you, but you gotta be a professional on and off the court, and be prepared for the challenges and just go out there and perform at a high level, but those cities in particular stick out.

Q. Given the amount of free time players have in the NBA, what do you guys like to do during the day? Do you like to check out the city, take naps?
A. I have a pre-game ritual. I’m always sleeping, taking my nap, doing what I need to do to get prepared for the challenge. After shoot-around I take a nap, get up about an hour before the bus, head over early, get some shots in and get prepared for the game.

Q. Now, I know you're only 29, but you have a lot of young guys like Andray Blatche and Nick Young on the Wizards. Do you kind of mentor some of the younger players?
A. Yeah, definitely, always remaining positive with those guys, keeping them afloat, they are great young talents, and I look forward to seeing them in the future, and coming to watch them play eventually. I love their work ethic of late, and I look forward to seeing them prosper.

Q. I’ve heard you’re quite the boxing buff, and that you met “Pretty Boy Floyd.” What was that experience like, and do you have a favorite memory from a boxing fight?
A. Floyd’s my man. I had an opportunity to – before the fight – go back there in the locker room with him, and I had a chance to sit and chat with him. He was focused, he was dialed in, ready to go out there and put in work, and do what he do best and win fights. He’s a guy that if I need any advice or extra motivation I know he’s a guy that I can reach out to. I’m glad to have him in my corner.

Q. He’s not that big of a guy height-wise but obviously he has a strong presence.
A. He’s under 6-foot, but from a heart standpoint he’s a human skyscraper.

Q. Mike Miller is obviously a great shooter, natural scorer, but what’s up with (him wearing) those LeBron’s? Have you talked to him about it?


A. No, not at all. It don’t bother me. Whatever he needs to wear on his feet to perform at a high level and help contribute to the team win, you know, I’m all for it. I love Mike as a player, and starting to love him even more as a person, after being around him. Whatever he need to no. He can wear LeBron’s, Kobe’s, as long as he goes out there and performs it’s fine with me.

Q. Do you have a best friend on the Wizards with who you kick it with off the court?
A. I kinda vibe with everybody, no one person in particular that stands out. I try to be the best leader I possibly can be.

Q. What about the rest of the league? Are there any other guys you spend time with in the off-season, maybe from the Big East?
A. Dwayne Wade, that’s my man right there. Unbelievable (what he’s doing). Every year he continues to get better. This is a big year for him, obviously with 2010 coming up, the market’s going to be open for him, LeBron, and all those guys so it will be interesting to see what happens.

Q. You’re obviously a well put together guy and that you have taken a liking to fashion. I understand that you actually design your own label?
A. Yeah, it’s one of the things I like doing along with LAD Custom Clothing out of LA. It’s something I’ve been doing over the course of the last couple years: You know, designing my own shoes, fabrics, everything, my own patterns. It’s something I like doing. I’m kind of comfortable trying to wear what I want, and am very fortunate to be able to do it.

Q. We’ve seen the early success that Brandon Jennings has had. Looking back, if you had the opportunity out of high school not to enter the the league, but rather to go to Europe and make seven figures and have that type of financial success, would you still have elected to go to UConn? Or was the chance to play for Coach Calhoun and build as a player and a person that valuable to where you wouldn’t change your mind?
A. Everybody’s situation is different, but for me, I think the best thing was going to Connecticut and getting some tough love and going through what I went through, and get molded into who I am today. Everybody’s different. From a financial standpoint, I feel like I wasn’t chasing the money or anything like that. I was just chasing the direction and guidance that I needed. Luckily, I had this from the great leaders of my life like Max Good and Jim Calhoun. I see the success that (Jennings) is having and I’m very proud of him. As a man from one man to another, just to see him getting off to a great base like that.

(Much of Jim Calhoun's success can be attributed to his tough love style of coaching)

Q. We have seen the controversy the NBA has gone through with the Tim Donaghy situation and the replacement refs. As a guy who has been in the league and understands how it works, is that just something that you worry about?
A. We just play basketball. You can’t worry about things like that. The NBA does a great job of doing thorough investigations and choosing high quality, high profile, great people to conduct and ref the game. It’s a special fraternity. Everybody has problems. You know obviously we had a situation and weeded it out. I think the game is doing justice now and doing a great job of moving forward.

Q. Lastly, given that your contract is set to expire after this season, is that something that serves as a distraction or do just let your game to the talking?
A. I just let my play do the talking. I know something good will come out of it. I look forward to being a Wizard for the remainder of my career, and I’m pretty sure that’s going to be the case.