“I used to burn those guys up, bro, at 5-9” - Nate Robinson says he dominated Celtics teammates 1-on-1

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In the aftermath of the Boston Celtics’ triumphant 2008 Finals victory, boasting legends like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, the team’s practice routine was a blend of analyzing opponents and preserving energy for game-time. With seasoned veterans at the helm, extensive scrimmages took a back seat to film study and strategic planning.

However, when Nate Robinson joined the C’s midway through the 2009 season, he brought a dash of fresh air to the court, exhibiting a preference for one-on-one matchups that left his teammates in disbelief, and it was during these post-practice showdowns that Nate shone.

“Paul Pierce was like, ‘Yo, ones, straight to the face.’ Whoever wanna play can play. Man, I used to burn those guys up, bro, at 5-9, it was so much fun playing them,” Nate disclosed in a recent episode of The OGs podcast.

“You know who you need to talk to? Talk to (Brian) Scalabrine, he’ll let you know everything what was going down when I was there. And ask him how many times I was fading guys on ones.”

The importance of one-on-one drills

While awaiting confirmation from the “White Mamba” himself, Brian Scalabrine, on the outcome of these showdowns, it’s essential to recognize the value of one-on-one drills. As podcast co-host Udonis Haslem notes, “Iron sharpens iron,” and these matchups greatly benefit individual creativity and offensive prowess needed in today’s offensively-focused basketball landscape.

Former Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas echoes this sentiment and even goes a step further, advocating for one-on-one drills to be integrated into the pre-draft process. According to Agent Zero, these drills reveal a player’s ability to perform under pressure and showcase their mental fortitude.

The only guy Nate couldn’t beat

Circling back and reflecting on his time in the league, Robinson acknowledges all of the formidable opponents he encountered, given his journeyman status in the Association. However, amidst these memorable duels, there’s one guy he admits he couldn’t beat: Jimmy Butler, considered one of the best two-way players of this generation.

“Ones is the best. I loved the ones after practice, I couldn’t wait for that,” the 5-foot-9 guard revealed. “The only one I never beat was Jimmy Butler, bro. He was the hardest MF to get by and try to score on.”

Ultimately, the adage “heart over height” rings true in this case. Despite being smaller in stature, Nate triumphed over elite NBA players, showcasing that determination and skill can conquer physical “limitations.”