NBA

Knicks’ Nate Robinson benched for pregame yuks

According to a source, the final straw in Nate Robinson’s banishment came in the hour before last Wednesday’s game in Orlando, when Mike D’Antoni caught Robinson yukking it up during the pregame with his slam-dunk contest foil, superstar center Dwight Howard.

That night, Robinson received his first DNP — the first of four straight after receiving another one last night in a 93-84 win over Portland.

According to the source, D’Antoni felt Robinson was not being serious enough during pregame preparations, fraternizing too often with opponents. The Howard incident was the backbreaker, the source said.

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It is clear the rift between D’Antoni and Robinson is more personal than related to basketball, yet it’s worked like a dream, with the Knicks winning three of the four games Robinson has been benched.

Robinson and Howard both have Aaron and Eric Goodwin as their agents and have become friends in the offseason. They became superhero rivals during the infamous slam-dunk competition during All-Star Weekend last February, when Robinson was “Krypto-Nate” and Howard “Superman.” Robinson topped Howard by leaping over him on the final dunk.

When asked last night if there was a last straw, D’Antoni hinted at the episode, but then brought up Toney Douglas’ emergence.

“I know there’s a lot of little things that build up,” D’Antoni said. “I don’t know if there was a last straw. But I do know a lot of focus is on Toney Douglas and it has a lot to do with him.”

Aaron Goodwin flew into Atlanta Friday when the Knicks were in town to meet with Robinson. Goodwin also spoke on the phone with Donnie Walsh about “Nate-Gate.”