Marc Stein: Spurs interested in Cliff Robinson

[GhostofAlfrederickHughes]

Not a bad pickup, although he certainly won't help the team's free-throw shooting (especially if it comes at the expense of Malik Rose)

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/column...arc&id=1988190

[ducks]

As the NBA's trade deadline approaches, few players are drawing more interest than Golden State's Clifford Robinson.


Clifford Robinson
Forward-Center
Golden State Warriors
Profile


2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
40 8.8 2.8 1.8 .403 .615

League sources told ESPN.com on Wednesday night that "more than five teams" are considering bids for Robinson and that the 38-year-old is "almost certain" to be moved by the Warriors before the Feb. 24 deadline.

Robinson, at this stage of his career, is a defensive specialist who can guard big men of various sizes and still occupy defenses occasionally with his shooting range. Minnesota's Kevin Garnett once described Robinson as "hands-down the best defensive player in the league."

After unexpectedly emerging as the Warriors' starting center for much of the season, the 6-foot-10, 240-pounder also holds appeal in the trade market because his salary is reasonable ($5.3 million) and because his contract expires at season's end.

New Jersey has shown interest in Robinson for weeks, even before the Nets began to climb in the Atlantic Division standings behind a rejuvenated Vince Carter. It remains to be seen if the Nets are prepared to add another center after claiming Elden Campbell on waivers, but sources say they'll face compe ion from a clutch of Western Conference clubs if they do continue to pursue Robinson.

San Antonio, Houston and Minnesota are also among the interested, according to sources. The Spurs have been particularly active in the search for frontcourt depth, as they await word on a possible comeback by Karl Malone.

Yet with Malone unsure if he wants to make another le run or stay retired, and with Toronto said to be increasingly reluctant to move Donyell Marshall, Robinson could become their best option. The Spurs, also looking to trim payroll, have had veteran forward Malik Rose on the trading block since last season, which creates the possibility of a Rose-for-Robinson swap if the Warriors are willing to absorb Rose's contract.

Cleveland and Miami, meanwhile, are the East playoff contenders looking hardest for depth on the front line.

Robinson is expected to return to Golden State's lineup Friday at New Orleans after completing a five-game suspension for noncompliance with the league's drug policy. According to agent Brad Marshall, Robinson received the suspension not for substance abuse but for missing a check-in phone call required by the aftercare guidelines of Robinson's marijuana suspension in 2001.

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here. Also, click here to send a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.



this shows me spurs do not think mailman will say yes OR they are forcing mailman to say one way or the other

[Rummpd]

Might not be a bad move for both sides.

[FromWayDowntown]

[whottt]Pop has no appreciation for character[/whottt]

[ShoogarBear]

Uncle Cliffie = Playoff Clutchness


















. . . riiiiiiight!

[Kori Ellis]

I told timvp last week that if the Spurs weren't going to use Malik, they should just trade him for Cliff.

Not that I think he'll be of much use, but he's an expiring contract.

I'd much rather that they just use Malik though.

[GhostofAlfrederickHughes]

Agree, Kori---for what they PAY Malik, he should play more. Heck, for what they pay him, he should probably start! But if Robinson helps them this year AND allows them cap space to add other players in coming years (at the expense of Malik's contract), it's not a bad move. Which, I suspect, is precisely why the Spurs might have expressed interest....

[bigzak25]

i'll miss malik. Pop & Co. will definitely pull the trigger if GS bites...

[usckk]

If this is true, it is fun to analysis what this means.

1) Are the Spurs letting Rose play more lately to showcase him for potential suitors?
2) Are the Spurs willing to trade Rose because they are confident about Malone coming?
3) Are the Spurs going to package anyone?

I think the Warriors would benefit as well. They lack bigman, so Rose would help a great deal.

[SPARKY]

Holy crap. 30 year old Malik Rose for the rotting corpse of 68 year old Cliff Robinson's career? Oh yeah, it's always been about Malik being unable to perform. Give me a ing break.

After unexpectedly emerging as the Warriors' starting center for much of the season, the 6-foot-10, 240-pounder also holds appeal in the trade market because his salary is reasonable ($5.3 million) and because his contract expires at season's end.

Yet with Malone unsure if he wants to make another le run or stay retired, and with Toronto said to be increasingly reluctant to move Donyell Marshall, Robinson could become their best option. The Spurs, also looking to trim payroll, have had veteran forward Malik Rose on the trading block since last season, which creates the possibility of a Rose-for-Robinson swap if the Warriors are willing to absorb Rose's contract.

The Warriors used to be interested in Malik, but Gary St. Jean is no longer the Warriors' GM. Still, Malik for 4 years and $27 mil has to look like a bargain compared to Adonal Foyle's $42 mil or whatever.

In any event, if Pop/RC move Malik Rose for 78 year old Clifford Robinson I'm going to join the FSP Playa Hata Hall of Fame.

[bigzak25]

the question is what will be more valuable in the playoffs this year?

malik's bench offense or cliff's bench defense.

[usckk]

If this trade does occur, I would say the defense is more important. The Spurs would have to go through Yao, Dampier, Webber, and Shaq to win the whole thing. We have plenty of offense elsewhere.

FYI: I believe Malone will make a decision either Today or Saturday. It doesn't make sense to announce on a day when the Spurs have a game.

[Iron Giant]

Love Malik's game....but as long as Pop doesn't trust him, he's going to press. Unfortunately, as much good as that says about Malik's character (does anyone else on the team appear nearly as eager-to-please?), Pop doesn't care about eagerness nearly so much as he hates turnovers and other errors. At this point, trading Malik is probably doing him a favor. Shame, though....

[SPARKY]

Malik actually gives a damn about winning and being worthy of that contract after he signed it. All he gets in return is internal ing about that contract which ultimately results in him being a mainstay on the trade block. It's not hard to see how that has affected Malik's play and led to all of this bull between him and Pop.

The only reason you move Malik Rose for crap like Cliff Robinson is to reduce long term payroll. That's all it's ever been about when it comes to Malik Rose no matter how much some of you want to believe that Sean Marks or Caldwell Jones genuinely had beaten him out for a spot in the rotation. How Malik was playing or whether he was cross with Pop meant nothing.

I hate seeing a team weaken its talent base in order to be cheap. The Spurs have no excuse now. They're just seeking to keep the payroll down in order to milk that arena deal for all its worth. It's their right, but it's also our right as paying fans and taxpayers to call them out on it.

[usckk]

Caldwell Jones? who is that?

[BigVee]

I think it would be a good move. Who is the threat to the Spurs? Malik is not going to guard Lewis, not going to guard Marion, or Dirk, or anyone else of that ilk. You rent Robinson for a year, lose the salary, Scola comes in next year, money to sign Brown. What is the downside? Malik is not the key to winning it all this year.

[SPARKY]

88 year old Clifford Robinson is not a defensive stalwart he's a piece of dog at this point in his career. In case some of you haven't been paying attention Malik Rose does a pretty solid job staying in front of offensive players out on the perimeter, regardless of position. Also, I'd say that the ability to play physical in the paint is far more important at this point to the Spurs than a guy whose only redeeming quality is his ability to play the power forward position 20 feet away from the rim.

What if Scola can't hack it in the NBA? You just gave up a 30 year old proven playoff performer who certainly has 4 more solid years in the NBA up for 98 year old Cliff Robinson and losing salary. that.

[timvp]

I love how the Spurs are going after the two biggest playoff chokers in NBA history in Uncle Cliffy and Aunt Karla.

Nice.

[ducks]

the spurs did not tell rose to burry his head in his jersey
the spurs did not force rose to go public and say he quit last year
you play him 20-30 minutes a game or you move him
simple concept
problem is you can not teach health and after all these years you can not teach him ball handling skills

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I have to take the side of the naysayers on this one.

I never liked 98 year old Cliff Robinson's game 70 years ago when he was supposed to be good. I'm not sure he could give us anything now that it's already the year 2045 and we're gunning for our 30th le.

[BigVee]

I think Pop is thinking defense not offense. They won't choke defensively, and Spurs don't need their offense. Malik can't guard Marion or Lewis. He wasn't even on the floor v. the Suns. To me, stopping Marion is the key. Suns have added, I just don't think the Spurs should stand pat.

[ducks]

I do not think cliff is the long term future


spurs look like they want a big as insurance in postseason
who would you like the spurs to get



they wanted chandler!

[SPARKY]

And Uncle Cliffy is going to stop a Lewis or a Marion? Please.

[SPARKY]

Yes, think long term ducks. Instead of having a guy who can be your 1st bigman reserve for the next 4 years at the cost of an average salary you are going to dump him for an aging has been and pin your hopes on a guy who hasn't played one minute in the NBA panning out.

The Spurs are going to be capped out for the forseeable future so it's not like if Scola is a bust they will have the flexibility to rectify that...and cap room will be important given what crap bigs are going for nowadays.

[BigVee]

And Uncle Cliffy is going to stop a Lewis or a Marion? Please.

He would do a better job on them than Rose. His length will bother the "3" and his shooting threat will take Marion away from the basket. No, he won't stop anyone, but I think he might slow them down. My opinion, could be wrong.