Robinson gives Knicks, suitors eyeful

Imagine the surprise that local New York Knicks fans felt when they walked into Cox Pavilion on Monday and saw Nate Robinson warming up.

But none of them was complaining.

The third-year guard, who stands only 5 feet 9 inches but has amazing jumping ability, didn't need to participate in the NBA Summer League. But Robinson is here for the third straight year, wowing the crowd and showing the enthusiasm that makes him a favorite of Knicks fans and Isiah Thomas, the team's president and head coach.

"Nobody forced me to play," Robinson said. "I volunteered. I need to get these young guys ready for Steph (Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury) and for training camp."

There had been speculation Robinson is here to showcase his skills as the Knicks look to trade him. Thomas is strongly interested in acquiring Ron Artest from Sacramento, and Robinson's name has been linked to a possible swap. The Kings would want multiple players in exchange for Artest.

"I haven't heard that," Robinson said of the trade rumors. "But I want to stay in New York. My heart and soul is with the Knicks, point blank."

Robinson's play in the summer league indicates he's sincere about his intentions. On Thursday he had 21 points and 10 assists as the Knicks beat Sacramento 96-84 to improve their summer record to 3-0.

Robinson is leading the team in scoring (17.3), assists (7.0) and, of course, enthusiasm. He's the first to greet a teammate who makes a good play, and when he's on the bench he's the loudest and most demonstrative cheerleader.

"Our team is going to be good," Robinson said of the retooled Knicks, who acquired Zach Randolph from Portland on draft day June 28 and got DePaul forward Wilson Chandler with the 23rd pick. New York also has former Kentucky center Randolph Morris, who is preparing for his first full season after Thomas signed him as a free agent in March.

Robinson is trying to broaden his game while in Las Vegas. He wants to enhance his point guard skills so Marbury can be used in other roles. But Robinson remains a "score-first" guard and still likes to camp out on the baseline and stroke 3-point shots.

"I need to keep being me," he said. "But I also need to learn the point."

Robinson had been feeding the ball to summer league teammates Morris, Chandler, Renaldo Balkman and rookie Demetrius Nichols. The latter had 17 points Thursday and is averaging 14.7. Nichols, a 6-8 swingman who played at Syracuse, was a second-round pick by Portland and was traded to the Knicks in exchange for a 2008 second-round draft pick.

"I'm having a lot of fun here," Robinson said. "I enjoy having that leadership role."

Robinson was in Las Vegas for All-Star Weekend in February, trying to retain his slam dunk title from a year ago. He nearly pulled it off, only to have Boston's Gerald Green one-up him by jumping over Robinson himself after Green had pulled out a cardboard cutout of the Knicks guard and prepared to soar over it.

"That was a lot of fun," Robinson said. "(Green) was very creative. He deserved to win."

With his dunk contest days over, Robinson's focus is on winning. The Knicks were 33-49 last season, and the heat is on Thomas to get his team back in the playoffs. Robinson said he wants to do his part.

"I want to get better," he said. "It's better to be here than to be home sitting on the couch playing video games."