NEW YORK — Landing the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft may be considered disappointing for the Charlotte Bobcats, but don’t try and tell that to Thomas Robinson.
The Kansas power forward took to Twitter on Wednesday to rip the draft experts who believe it’s a long drop off after presumed No. 1 pick Anthony Davis of Kentucky.
“I could care less where im at on any of your draft boards these the Same so called experts WHO didnt even know i exsisted a yr ago smh Lol,” the 6-foot-9 Robinson Tweeted.
For much of this past college basketball season, Davis and Robinson were neck-and-neck for National Player of the Year honors in a poll on ZAGSBLOG, but Davis pulled away at the end and was the unanimous selection while drawing comparisons to Marcus Camby and Bill Russell.
Davis also beat Robinson head-to-head when Kentucky downed Kansas, 67-59, in the NCAA championship game in New Orleans.
While Davis appears headed back to The Big Easy to play for the Hornets, Robinson could wind up in Charlotte with Michael Jordan’s lowly Bobcats, who won just seven games out of 66 last season.
“Obviously, everyone wants the No. 1 pick,” Charlotte GM Rich Cho said. “We know we’re going to get a good player at number two. Last time I was with a team that had number two, we were able to get Kevin Durant [in Seattle]. So, we’ll go from here and hopefully find the right player for us.”
Robinson, who averaged 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds for the Jayhawks, may not turn out to be Durant, but he could be an NBA All-Star and a 10-year veteran.
“Long as it’s got an NBA patch on the jersey, it sounds good,” Robinson told Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com when asked how Charlotte sounds.
“I would love to play anywhere, man. I’ll make the best out of my situation.”
Robinson has dealt with more than his share of adversity.
He lost his mother, Lisa Robinson, to a heart attack in January 2011, and she herself had lost both her parents in the weeks before that.
From that point on, he was motivated by the need to provide for his younger sister, Jayla, now 9. She stood with him when he announced his plans to declare for the Draft.
So it’s no surprise that Robinson, 21, bristled somewhat at the idea that he’s second-best to anyone.
“These guys get paid to criticize and spectate our games but at the same time I know how my work ethic is and I know how I am,” he said. “I do feel that I’m probably most prepared for the league right now in this draft. So I’m not going to take that back. That’s what I believe, that’s what I’m going to stand by.”
No matter what the draft experts say.
colbond / May 31, 2012
“Davis also beat Robinson head-to-head in the national semifinals when Kentucky downed Kansas, 67-59, en route to the NCAA championship in New Orleans.”
That was the title game. KU beat Ohio State in the semis.
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Blue In KC / May 31, 2012
similar to ku basketball, no one is talking about T-Robb so he has to try to give them a reason to. welcome to obscurity in charlotte, t-robb.
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UofA BJ / May 31, 2012
Tough call with the 2 pick but I’m taking Robinson if I’m Charlotte.
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kungpaochicken / May 31, 2012
Arguably the safest pick in the draft, the most ready to contribute at the NBA level without a doubt.
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Adam Zagoria / June 1, 2012
Colbond,
Thanks for the correction. I was at both games! Mind went blank for a second. Appreciate it.
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UofA BJ / June 1, 2012
Don’t be surprised if MJ takes Harrison Barnes.
Lot of people r down on him, but I think he becomes a perennial all star. Really high on barnes game and upside. He already shoots that MJ fadeaway J at a high percentage.
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GanjahLuv / June 2, 2012
Robinson is nice but just another big guy in the L. What does he do that makes him NOT another dime a dozen guy?
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