Thomas Robinson and his 'stupid' fourth
DALLAS -- Amid the encouraging performance by Thomas Robinson in the Trail Blazers' 103-98 loss Friday in Dallas were moments that remind he is only 22, and still learning the ropes of the NBA.
No moment stood out more than a fourth-quarter foul and subsequent technical on Robinson that ignited Dallas' comeback and left the Blazers' big man with a simple explanation: 'Stupid.''
'It was stupid,'' Robinson. 'I was just into the game and it was just my emotions.''
With 8:23 left and the Blazers leading 89-82, Robinson turned back Dallas guard Monta Ellis for what he thought was a block. However, referee Scott Foster whistled Robinson for a shooting foul. While on the ground after the play, Robinson threw his mouth guard in disgust. Foster administered a technical.
Dirk Nowitzki made the technical free throw, then Ellis made his two free throws, and the Mavericks were back within 89-86.
It wasn't an egregious error in judgment, but it wasn't a veteran move either. Coach Terry Stotts, for one, was careful not to admonish Robinson, because the error came out of what he called 'emotion.''
'He needs to play with emotion,'' Stotts said. 'But (throwing equipment) is one of the rules of the game. I don't think he meant to throw his mouth guard, but those are the rules. So I don't necessarily want him to curb his emotions, just needs to know what he can and can't do.''
Robinson, who turns 23 on St. Patrick's Day, said he and Stotts are beginning to understand each other.
'It's my first year here, and he's learning me,'' Robinson said. 'He's accepted who I am as a player, and I have accepted the way he is coaching me. So it's making me more comfortable.''
More costly than the technical, perhaps, was a host of other fourth quarter fouls --- including two by Robinson -- that had the Mavericks in the bonus with 9:24 left in the fourth quarter, meaning any foul thereafter resulted in free throws. The Mavericks would take advantage, making 13-of-16 free throws in the fourth quarter. It was a double whammy, because players like LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesely Matthews noted they couldn't guard as closely or aggressively as they normally would for fear of sending the Mavericks to the line again.
The Blazers had fouls called on CJ McCollum and Matthews before Robinson was called for back-to-back fouls in a seven-second span. When Mo Williams fouled Devin Harris with 9:24 left, the Blazers were at five and in the danger zone for the rest of the way.
Then, with 7:52 left, Robinson was disqualified after picking up his sixth foul while guarding Nowitzki, a call that Stotts protested from the sideline by flailing his arms in imitation of Nowitzki over reacting to the contact.
It wasn't the fairytale ending to what is becoming a developing story with Robinson and the Blazers, but there was enough foreshadowing to create some curiosity with these upcoming games, beginning Sunday in Houston.
'When he brings energy and toughness, he can impact the game,'' Stotts said. 'He brings a dimension that is unique to our team. I thought the way he played tonight, our guys fed off it. He is still a young player, and he may or may not play well on a given night, but he can always give us that energy.''
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