Clifford Robinson, anyone?

[elindholm]

Now that the Suns have only small salary slots to play with, they're restricted to fringe players for the remaining backup bigs. Robinson is getting long in the tooth (he turns 39 in December) but, other than that, would fit in pretty well with Phoenix's system, all things considered.

Is anyone likely to offer him better than LLE money? Would he be satisfied playing only 15 minutes a game if it was with a contender? Can the Suns do any better? And is there too much bitterness over his previous departure for the idea to merit any consideration?

 

[Chaz]

I wouldn't mind but I don't think the Suns would do it.

 

[The Commish]

I don't think the Suns management would bring back Uncle Spliffy after his little incidents here. I always did like him though.

 

[Suns_fan69]

Honestly, Cliff would be perfect for the suns. He's a little old, sure, but he's not expected to play more than 10-15 minutes and is (was maybe? haven't seen him play lately) a great defender at the 4 and 5 positions.

I'm sure he could be had for cheap, it'd be stubborn of the suns not to at least explore this possibility.

 

[Chaz]

I don't think he is still as great as you remember him.

Hence the reason he would be available so cheap.

 

[az1965]

He is ready to file for his retirement money...

 

[Amare32]

He may be old but uncle Cliffy can still defend his man one on one well.

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm not convinced Cliff has enough in the tank to be worth bothering with.

 

[elindholm]

There may be plenty of reason to avoid Robinson, but I don't think that his fuel level is one of them. Before being traded in the middle of last season, he started most games for the Warriors, averaging 26 minutes per. By comparison, Mutombo hasn't averaged that kind of playing time in more than three years.

 

[devilalum]

The Suns jettisoned Uncle Smokey because of his ganja habit.

Why would they bring an influence like that back to hang around all these young players?

 

[elindholm]

Why would they bring an influence like that back to hang around all these young players?

They probably wouldn't, which is why I posed that question in the first place. However, I'm sure many NBA players smoke marijuana, and if that's the biggest of Robinson's sins, the Suns would have to be naive to think that they'll be able to form a complete roster of players cleaner than that.

 

[tobiazz]

I liked Uncle Cliffy, but the Suns will not sign him for the same reason they traded him for garbage.

 

[devilalum]

Why would they bring an influence like that back to hang around all these young players?

They probably wouldn't, which is why I posed that question in the first place. However, I'm sure many NBA players smoke marijuana, and if that's the biggest of Robinson's sins, the Suns would have to be naive to think that they'll be able to form a complete roster of players cleaner than that.

Of course unknown evils exist on every team but that doesn't justify bringing back a known problem.

The Suns are pretty sensitive to the drug issue. All you have to do is take a walk down memory lane to see how drugs almost destroyed this franchise.

 

[George O'Brien]

Robinson plays PF, but has one of the weakest rebounds per minute average any near starter at .159. To give perspective, Jake averaged .25 per minute.

Cliffy's productivity fell during his second season with the Pistons where his rebounding dropped by one board a game even though he played big minutes. Not surprisingly, he was sent to GS the next season. This season he wast traded to NJ where he played only 20 minutes a game on team that was desperate for inside help.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

However, I'm sure many NBA players smoke marijuana

LMFAO, this is such a true statement. Let me add that I am also convinced half the people on this board are smoking something too.

I don't think weed is the reason the Suns won't want him, the reason is more likely that he really doesn't fit their grandiose plan. I think they are set with defensive minded small forwards and guards unless they can fit the role of sharpshooter.

 

[F-Dog]

There may be plenty of reason to avoid Robinson, but I don't think that his fuel level is one of them. Before being traded in the middle of last season, he started most games for the Warriors, averaging 26 minutes per. By comparison, Mutombo hasn't averaged that kind of playing time in more than three years.

So they traded him, right before they started to play well. Do I have the correct timeline here?

I remember an Uncle Cliffy--line-drive 3pt shooter who always choked in the playoffs, right?--but that must have been ten or fifteen years ago. Surely, the Suns can find a younger veteran to bring in, like Dan Majerle or something.

 

[George O'Brien]

So they traded him, right before they started to play well. Do I have the correct timeline here?

I remember an Uncle Cliffy--line-drive 3pt shooter who always choked in the playoffs, right?--but that must have been ten or fifteen years ago. Surely, the Suns can find a younger veteran to bring in, like Dan Majerle or something.

I never thought people were fair toward Cliff when he was here. His problem was that he was the team's best interior defender, but was constantly overmatched. I remember one series when he was asked to defend David Robinson and got into foul trouble every game. His stats were %$#@ because he couldn't stay on the floor, but it was an insane matchup.

My problem with Cliff was that he was not a very good rebounder and once his outside shot went south, not much help on offense either.

 

[BigDavis75]

At this point in his career I would compare him to Walter McCarty, there I said it. Now do we really want that?

 

[hcsilla]

I think that Robinson would be a good addition. I always liked him as a player and I still consider him as a solid backup PF who is still ready to contribute.

 

[King A]

Uncle Cliffy might be like this last years Bo Outlaw, except he could get playing time.

 

[Joe Mama]

First of all I don't think there's any chance that the Phoenix Suns would bring back Cliff Robinson. Secondly, I watched him play a few times towards the end of the year. I didn't focus solely on him, but I remember thinking that it looked like he was on his last leg.

Joe Mama

 

[Chaz]

First of all I don't think there's any chance that the Phoenix Suns would bring back Cliff Robinson. Secondly, I watched him play a few times towards the end of the year. I didn't focus solely on him, but I remember thinking that it looked like he was on his last leg.

Joe Mama

I got the same impression.

Robinson is about done.

 

[DaFlogger]

First of all I don't think there's any chance that the Phoenix Suns would bring back Cliff Robinson. Secondly, I watched him play a few times towards the end of the year. I didn't focus solely on him, but I remember thinking that it looked like he was on his last leg.

Joe Mama

Cliffy was in New Jersey, of course he's on his last leg! Badda bing!