Me and GP
Posted: Wednesday, November 30 at 06:50 pm ET by Nate Robinson
I got a chance to go up against Gary Payton in this Nov. 28 game. (Getty Images)
On Monday, Nov. 28, we got to go to Miami to play against the Miami Heat. Like the game against the 76ers, this was also a thrill for me because I got to play against Gary Payton.
I’ve known GP for a long time. My Dad knows his whole family. In fact, I used to play for his team.
When he played for the Sonics, he used to sponsor our AAU team, the Gary Payton All-Stars. I was a sophomore at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle at the time, 16 years old. He brought us to his house and everything. And we got to see his nice house in Vegas and he got us all some shoes and clothes and stuff. And now playing against him in the NBA was just crazy.
He talked to me a little during the game. He’s a cool dude. I told him I liked his shoes he had on. He brought back the old GPs. He didn’t talk any trash to me, not really. He just said “Welcome to the NBA.”
I also got my first NBA dunk in that game. It was cool I got it, but we didn’t win the game, so I didn’t care that much. If we would have won, it would’ve been sweeter.
Pulling pranks a messy business
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Nate's stats
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Team: NY Knicks Position: Guard Age: 22 Height: 5-9 Weight: 180 lbs. College: Washington |
Games: 64 (5 starts) MPG: 21.2 PPG: 10.1 RPG: 2.4 APG: 1.4 SPG: 0.8 |
2006-07 season numbers | |
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Dear Nate,
I am an Arizona Wildcat fan and you broke our hearts a few times! I have always been impressed with your competiveness, athleticism, and desire. Congrats on arriving in the NBA. I am curious what you said to Salim Stoudamire after the Pac-10 tournament championship game.
Robert Upton (Sent Dec 1, 2005 2:01:56 PM)
Congrats Nate. I've followed your career since Ranier Beach and have been a huge fan of yours on the grid iron and hardwood. Keep up the good work and make us Husky alums proud. Not suprised your the talk of the NBA. Just wish you were on the Supes. We need more heart.
Bryan Kang, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Dec 1, 2005 7:15:49 PM)
Nate, it's awesome that you have a blog! You are able to give fans a unique real-time perspective on what daily life is like for an NBA player. This is soooo bleeding edge. I think you may be the first pro athlete in the world to blog your life experiences. Right on!
Eric, Seattle, WA (Sent Dec 1, 2005 7:18:32 PM)
Diehard Knicks fan here.... Welcome to the team, Nate! Your game-winning bomb against the 76ers made my year. I wouldn't worry about the dunk; I'm sure you'll get more opportunities during happier occasions. Hope you are enjoying New York and that the vets are not hazing you rooks too hard. ;)
Matthew K, St. Paul, MN (Sent Dec 1, 2005 7:22:31 PM)
Yo Nate,
Myself and many others in the 2-0-6 are looking forward to your return to Seattle and seeing the Knicks take on the Sonics. From a basketball standpoint, what has been the biggest transition you have had to make so far?
Andrew, Seattle, WA (Sent Dec 1, 2005 7:22:40 PM)
Congratulations on all your success Nate! We miss seeing you in Hec Ed, but I'm looking forward to watching you with some fellow UW alums next week in the Key! I hate to say it, but you've almost made me a Knicks fan! :(
Shawn M. (Sent Dec 1, 2005 7:26:13 PM)
Nate, this blog is sick. It's so awesome to get a real basketball's player perspective. Don't stop writing these, they are really interesting, and really show what it's like to be you. Thanks for this.
A SPAT, Babylon, NY (Sent Dec 1, 2005 7:27:30 PM)
Nate, I am an old(really)Knicks fan and I want to let you know we want you to be great.The 11P.M. News each game night has highlights of the game and I hope you are there often.Even though I live in NJ please save your best to beat the Nets.
PF, Rutherford,NJ (Sent Dec 1, 2005 7:35:52 PM)
Glad to see you made it Nate! I remember watching you in a high school all star game which followed a sonics game in Seattle. I said to one of my freinds, "who is this kid." A reporter heard me and said, "that's Nate Robinson, Jaques Robinson's son." Of course I followed your basketball and football (albeit brief) careers at Washington. I was a little disappointed when you decided to focus on basketball and dropped football...you were an incredible football player too! Good Luck to you!
Tom, Denver, CO (Sent Dec 1, 2005 7:38:50 PM)
Hey Nate. Congratulations on earning your way in the NBA. Thank you for taking the time to create your blog. I am looking forward to reading it and keeping up with your season. It will be fun seeing and experiencing the NBA through your rookie eyes.
Larry Cooper, Birmingham, AL. (Sent Dec 1, 2005 8:01:13 PM)
Nate: The Dawgs went down hill after you left the football team. Awesome work for the Knicks. Btw whatever happened to Charlie Ward, another former football player who played for the Knicks.
Brian (Sent Dec 1, 2005 8:28:54 PM)
Dear Nate,
Yo I really look forward to reading this blog. Like you, I am very short (almost 5 feet tall) point guard and I idolize you. You are my inspiration for shorter players. It is crazy how you can overcome your height disadvatage with tough defense and a lot of intensity. Any tips to help me improve breaking the press?
Matt Karr
Matt Karr, Randolph, New Jersey (Sent Dec 1, 2005 8:34:39 PM)
Hi Nate. It must be way cool to play in the NBA. Any advice for how to succeed? Great blog. Good luck in your career.
Josh Anderson (Sent Dec 1, 2005 8:35:54 PM)
Hey Nate, Hope you spend your whole career here! Just work on the handle and the rest will be gravy! You and Channing and Dave Lee are really fun to watch.
Orlando Colon,Washington Heights,NY (Sent Dec 1, 2005 8:39:57 PM)
Nate, I am an AZ Wildcat fan and remember all of your great plays during your Pac-10 days. How does it feel to have Channing on the same team - it was great to see one of your assists to him on Sportscenter yesterday! Wish you all the best, man! You carry the torch for a lot of us - vertically challenged, but energetically enhanced!!!
Al, Yuma, AZ (Sent Dec 1, 2005 8:50:17 PM)
Hey Nate:
I have been a NYK season ticket holder for 12 years and you have brought some excitement back to the Garden. My son is 4 and you are his favority player. He calls you "Nate the Great!" Keep playing with that passion!
Brian Robinson, Harrison, NY (Sent Dec 1, 2005 8:52:18 PM)
I think its great that you started this blog. I am a math teacher and I started a blog for my students. I am going to refer them to your blog to learn about you. Good luck in your rookie season!
Paul Perskin, Queens, NY (Sent Dec 1, 2005 9:00:09 PM)
Yo Nate,
Keep working hard and making us Huskies proud. When I was an undergrad at the UW a few years back I did some tutoring in History for one of the basketball players, and I've stayed a fan of the program. I'm also super impressed that you've got a weblog, it'll be great to get more insight into the life of an NBA player.
Alex Shepard, Seattle, Washington (Sent Dec 1, 2005 9:13:44 PM)
BEAT THE ZAGS!
Big Balla J (Sent Dec 1, 2005 9:18:13 PM)
Nate,
My son Ryan and I are huge fans. We appreciate your efforts at 5 Feet 9 Inches. It is a thrill to watch you. We are coming to the Phoenix game on January 2nd. Good Luck!
Paul and Ryan Marioni
Paul Marioni (Sent Dec 1, 2005 9:18:32 PM)
Hey Nate you are one of my favorite players. I hope I get to meet you some day.Keep up the good work and make another game winning shot
Ryan Marioni
Ryan Marioni Avon, Connecticut (Sent Dec 1, 2005 9:24:24 PM)
Yo waddup nate-dawgg Its me Jakey yo peep from indy.. Long time no see my nizzle.. You mayne I called yo pops out in wash the nite be4 da draff and he say you were all nervous and shinizzle.. I told you boy, you would make it.. I got nuttin but luv fo ya pawtnaaa
Jakey from the naptown
1 boyeee
OUT !!
JAKEY HARPO (Sent Dec 1, 2005 9:24:55 PM)
Nate Can't tell you how much we hated you when you took over the PAC 10 game last March against "our cats"!! But we always respected your ability and wish you good luck with the Knicks. Hope you and Channing have "bonded" as teamates. But if the game was on the line I would still take Salim!!
Gor cowl (Sent Dec 1, 2005 9:35:59 PM)
Whats up Nate,
Richmond B.C.( Seattle's neighbor, up north ) is pulling for you too! I am a huge fan of yours. I played against you in Emerald City Classic a few years back, and you surprised the heck out of me and my squad. Good Luck with the knicks! Please don't sign a long term deal with them! You need to stay on the West Coast, same goes for Crawford!
Lorenzo D, Richmond, B.C. (Sent Dec 1, 2005 9:51:26 PM)
Nate,
This blog is a fantastic idea and I'd like to say CONGRATS on your position with the Knicks. You have fans pulling for you from coast to coast and everywhere in between! Can't wait to read more because I am a diehard Knicks fan (from Chicago)...Keep up the great work.
Leslie (Representing the Windy City!!!)
Leslie, Chicago, IL (Sent Dec 1, 2005 10:24:38 PM)
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