Nate Robinson, Celtics Might Need Each Other to Be Best They Can Be

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Jul 14, 2010

Nate Robinson, Celtics Might Need Each Other to Be Best They Can Be On Tuesday, we examined Shrek; Wednesday, we'll take a look at Donkey. The Celtics are hard at work on rebuilding the bench that helped them reach the NBA Finals again in 2010, so we have to ask: Is re-signing Nate Robinson a high priority?

The answer: Yes, of course. More so now than ever.

When the Celtics first acquired Nate back in February, making a modest deadline deal with the Knicks to ship off Eddie House in a swap of backup guards, the expectations weren't high. The Knicks were getting Nate away from Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, who had clashed with the young shooter, and the Celtics were gaining an energetic player who could breathe some fresh air into their second unit.

Turns out he did a lot more than that.

Just as coach Doc Rivers had promised, Nate stepped up and won the Celtics a playoff game — and not just any playoff game. He scored 13 points in the second quarter of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, leading the Celtics to a 96-84 win over the Magic on their home floor. It was little old Nate who put the C's on his back and carried them to the NBA Finals.

Then in Game 4 of the Finals, again within the friendly confines of the TD Garden, he had another huge effort — he scored 12 points in 17 minutes as the second unit shined and the Celtics took down the Lakers to even the series 2-2.

Nate did a lot of things this spring. But most importantly, he proved that the Celtics still need his services next season. It's now up to Danny Ainge to show him the money.

The news is encouraging for the Celtics on that front — numerous reports have indicated that Nate's agent, Aaron Goodwin, is hopeful that the two teams will reach an agreement this week.

Money shouldn't be an issue in these negotiations. Nate knows what he's getting from the Celtics — he gave up his Bird rights in February when he agreed to be traded away from the Big Apple, so the Celtics are limited in their ability to go over the salary cap and give him a raise. Nate's max salary is 120 percent of what he made last year — $6 million.

That's the Celtics' offer, and they're sticking to it. Nate had better take it. It's a big paycheck, and it's a chance to stay in Boston and play with teammates he likes on a team that can win. The Celtics had better hope they finish the deal — after failing to re-sign Tony Allen, who defected to the Grizzlies this week, their bench is in dire need of a spark.

You could say that offering Nate the full $6 million would be overpaying on the Celtics' part. But after this past postseason, isn't it fair to say he's worth it?

You can't put a price on the heroics that carried the Celtics into the NBA Finals. His energy and his unbelievable shot-making ability were big-time assets to the C's this spring, and Ainge can't afford to lose them.

Robinson spent five tumultuous years in New York City. He made a name for himself, but he also made a few enemies along the way, and by the way, he didn't win a thing.

In Boston, his future is brighter.

The Celtics had better finish the deal and keep him there.

NESN.com will answer one Celtics question every day in July.

Tuesday, July 13: Will Glen Davis continue his maturation process?

Thursday, July 15: Will the Celtics' bench survive the loss of Tony Allen?

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