BOSTON — Nate Robinson already has faced the Knicks at the new Boston Garden, just five days after his trade to Beantown, so tonight’s game is nothing new. What Robinson has circled on his calendar is his first visit to Madison Square Garden in Celtics green on April 6.
Unlike the wonderful montage video tribute afforded Eddie House on his return to Boston on Feb. 23, the Knicks have no plans to honor Robinson’s nearly five-season stint in any tribute, according to a team source.
The 5-foot-7 ½ athletic freak warred with coach Mike D’Antoni but arguably was their most popular player for the past two seasons. Fans still populate the Garden stands wearing his old “4” jersey.
The free-agent-to-be was traded partly as a favor to agent Aaron Goodwin and partly to open room for rookie-on-the-rise Toney Douglas, though Sergio Rodriguez was given first opportunity at starting point guard and flopped.
The only thing Robinson won other than Knicks fans’ hearts were a record three Slam-Dunk titles. House — who has been subpar as a Knick, shooting a disastrous 34.2 percent — played a key reserve role for the Celtics’ 2008 championship team. The long, thunderous standing ovation House received upon checking in that night vs. the Celtics was remarkable.
Robinson will embark on his first playoff berth next month, too. He’s played 12 games for the Celtics, averaging 7.3 points in 16.1 minutes, shooting just 42 percent.
The biggest irony of the five-player trade is Knicks’ shooting guard Bill Walker has made the biggest impact of anyone. Walker has averaged 10.6 points in 24.6 minutes, shooting an outstanding 59.8 percent and showing terrific athleticism. J.R. Giddens, also obtained in the trade, is rehabbing from knee surgery, but could make his debut Friday vs. Philadelphia. The former Kansas State guard is being heavily considered to be re-signed cheaply.
“The biggest thing is his body has to get stronger, leaner and tougher and get experience this summer,” D’Antoni said. “He doesn’t have any weakness. He just has to do it better.”
Walker barely played in Boston.
“That’s all I wanted was an opportunity,” Walker said. “In Boston, it wasn’t that numerous. They already had a set lineup. I can’t blame anybody for that. I used it as motivation.”