"Can he do what Nate Robinson did last night?" Rivers joked to
reporters, alluding to a 41-point performance by Robinson in the
then-Knicks guard's first game after a one-month visit to coach Mike D'Antoni's doghouse.
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo were each out with injuries and Rivers was giving Giddens his first career start.
It's safe to say Rivers had his eye on Robinson, who was acquired from New York last week in a five-player deal that has the back halls of TD Garden buzzing Tuesday night.
Much of that buzz is coming from Robinson himself, as the little man with the big dunks is overjoyed to be making his Celtics debut.
It's safe to say he had his eye on Rivers, too.
"Doc is honest," Robinson said hours before tip."He's straightforward and as a player that's what you like, for a coach to always be honest with you and explain to you exactly what he wants you to do. And he's all about winning."
Robinson was asked about his stay on the Knicks' bench during the month of December. It was a move that prompted his agent to ask New York to trade the guard.
While he admits to being a bit confused at first, Robinson now sees the merit of his benching. As he said repeatedly to reporters, everything happens for a reason.
"A guy like myself sitting for a whole month…" Robinson said. "I believe Doc and the guys were saying, 'If he's sitting we can use him.' So we made the trade happen and made it work…Thank God for making me sit for that whole month. It made me realize you can't take this game for granted. This is all I know, is basketball, and I love it dearly."
Rivers acknowledged that a guy like Robinson, who has shown great ability mixed in with an attitude that seemed to annoy guys like D'Antoni, deserves a close look before a trade can be made. But Rivers had no qualms about pulling the trigger, that 41-point effort in his mind.
"You absolutely look and watch a guys past," Rivers said. "It's a good indication of what will be next…Then you take a chance. I want him to be him on the court."
At first, it will be in a limited role. Rivers said Robinson's first practice involved walk-throughs with the coaching staff only. ("It looked crazy, and it should have," Rivers said.) But at some point, perhaps, the Celtics will hope for what they once saw from afar.
