National Basketball Association

Let's Get Weird: Utah Jazz Should Sign Nate Robinson

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:05 p.m. ET

Fansided, Ryan Aston/FanSided via Purple and Blues

Potentially crazy editorial — the backup point guard situation continues to be in question for the Utah Jazz. Is Nate Robinson the answer?

On Saturday night, the Utah Jazz got something out of the norm from their bench — quality minutes from a backup point guard.

After seeing his court time dwindle recently, getting the quick hook when he’s made mistakes and even collecting a handful of DNP-CDs, Dante Exum came out of nowhere to score 11 points and dish out three assists in 22 minutes against the Charlotte Hornets. It was a big performance from a player who had clearly lost some confidence.

I was in the arena that night and the scene practically brought tears to my eyes. It was either that or the fact that my seat was about 25 steps away from a Chic-fil-A in the concourse. Either way, there was good mojo flowing in Vivint Arena that night.

Still, with Alec Burks back in the fold and Exum, Shelvin Mack and Raul Neto all failing to inspire/force Jazz coach Quin Snyder into playing them, the team still finds itself unable to give consistent minutes to a true backup point guard. And if a roster with four point guards can’t produce one capable backup, that’s a problem.

Moreover, it’s one that may be unsolvable with the current cast of characters.

Obviously, something must be done and I’m here to propose a radical solution. It may be hypoglycemic rage or the fact that I was up all night playing Fallout 4 and watching Hall & Oates videos speaking, but I’m going to say it anyway.

Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey should sign Nate Robinson. Seriously.

The idea occurred to me earlier this week, when news of Robinson’s move to the D-League and desire to return to the NBA began making the rounds. The three-time Slam Dunk champion had most recently played for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.

Nate Robinson to the D-League. https://t.co/C9y37IZa67 pic.twitter.com/CeCWl08Y6G

— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) February 3, 2017

The first thought that came to my mind was Robinson’s run with the Chicago Bulls in 2013. Despite injuries to Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich, the Bulls won 45 games that year. They also managed to win a playoff series, dispatching a far-less lametastic version of the Brooklyn Nets in seven games.

Robinson played a huge part in both feats. After starting 23 games and averaging 13 points and 4.4 assists per contest in the regular season, he upped his scoring output to 16.3 points per game in the playoffs. It’s exactly the kind of experience a team on the verge of a postseason return, a team like the Jazz, could use.

Did that happen almost four years ago? Sure. Is Robinson now on the wrong end of the big three-oh? Yeah. But I can’t be the only guy that’s curious about what a pairing between Robinson and the Jazz might look like, right?

Crazy query, but I'm going to ask. 32 y/o Nate Robinson is headed to the D-League. Thoughts on him playing 8-10 MPG in a Jazz uni? #TakeNote

— Purple & Blues (@PurpleandBlues1) February 3, 2017

That’s right, a whopping 48 percent of fans are down with Robinson playing some minutes behind George Hill in a Jazz uni. One might argue that this number is less than half, but this is America! Since when has winning the popular vote actually mattered?!

In the electoral college of people wanting to see all of Robinson’s 5-foot-9 frame soaring through the air and throwing down tomahawks in Jazz blue, the voters have spoken.

A biased and unfair media may tell you he’s too old, that he’s played for like a million teams. But let me remind you of the fact that Sam Cassell, who played for eight different teams, became a first-time All-Star at the age of 34 (two years older than Robinson is now) back in 2003-04. Robinson may not do the same, but he’ll definitely put in All-Star level effort.

For the record, this is what he’s up to right now as a legit old guy —

It’s as though he were chiseled from granite and moving and reacting on a level unseen by regular humans.

Another popular talking point will be something about his size or defensive capabilities. However, after more than 600 games in the NBA, Robinson continues to post net positives in VORP and box plus/minus. So he’s clearly found ways to be a positive force on the floor despite some perceived weaknesses.

Detractors will also say something about Robinson being notoriously temperamental or getting into fights with teammates. To that, I say check out this video from last year. While being interviewed for Israeli TV, some shirtless dude randomly challenged Robinson to go one-on-one.

Robinson didn’t freak out or obliterate the man, he kept cool, calm and collected (kind of) and even gave the guy props without backing down —

My man.

I realize we’re getting weird here, but I for one am ready to see Robinson “busting ass” in the Association once again. The Jazz don’t have any open roster spots, but the time may have come for them to create one. None of the current backups are benefiting from the current situation and the Jazz aren’t either.

Nor are any of the legion of fans who refuse to stand idly by as Robinson DOESN’T play for the Utah Jazz. Our message is clear: it’s time to “Make America Nate Again!™”