"I don't want me in the NBA, so I hope that somewhere else" • "In America, fans are watching sports like it's a show, in Israel basketball is a party" • "46 points in Arena? Great game, I just scored everything and the team believed in me" • " Knight Robinson will never retire, I will play until I die ”• Interview

• Knight Robinson. Has not found a group in the NBA since 2015

  Photo: 

  Alan Shaver

Nate Robinson is one of the greatest and most exciting players in Israeli basketball. He played a total of two and a half months at Hapoel Tel Aviv in the final part of the 2015/16 season, but this period was and will remain one of the most memorable and talked-about in the history of the local industry.

In an exclusive interview with Israel Today from his home in the United States, the champion of the ULSTAR imprint competition (twice) recalls the longing of his time in Israel and addresses today's burning issues.

"I feel amazing, enjoying life," Robinson says of the coronation virus behavior and the ban on leaving home beyond essential activities, "I have a lot of time to relax and be with the family, and these are very important things."

At the time, when we heard you were coming to Israel, it sounded like hallucination to us. How did it happen?

"I just wanted to play basketball with Tara Simmons, who is like a brother to me. He talked to me and told me about the team he was playing with and that they wanted me to come. He told me that the worker wanted to try to reach the playoffs and that's why they needed me."

One of the biggest question marks around players at Robinson's level is how they will respond to the move from legendary lots like Madison Square Garden, Staples Center or the Garden, to lots in Israel. But the explosive Guard says he actually liked what he discovered here, in his first season outside the US.

Knight dances in the drive-in. "Basketball in Israel is a party" // Photo: Udi Citiat

"It was fun. Fans in America enjoy watching the sport as if it were a movie or a show. In contrast, in Israel basketball is a party. It's a live event, fans scream all the time and it's really fun for players."

On top of his joy

During his time in Israel, Robinson had some memorable performances, but the biggest was in the first game against Hapoel Jerusalem in the playoff quarterfinals. He was unstoppable with 41 points in legal time (including the basket that sent the game to an extension on Donte Smith's head). He finished the game with 46 points, but that didn't help his team win. Jerusalem won 99:97 after a major drama and surrendered at the end of a thriller series that reached five games.

"I certainly remember this game," says Robinson, who already knew great games and quite a few extraordinary personal shows, "was a great and fun, but tough game. Jerusalem has a big hall and it was amazing to be there. I just scored everything and my team believed in me. I tried to help them win as much as I could. "

Over the years, some major NBC players have come to Israel, such as Amara Stodmaier, Tom Chambers and others. Where do you rate yourself on this list? 

"I don't really care about ratings like that. I get to play basketball for the fans and just make a living. I know what I'm worth, what I bring with me, and know I can play as hard as I want. The names you mentioned are great names, Amara was my teammate and did work Great. There are a lot of players who played in the BBC and went on a tour of the world, which is great. "

Knight thanks the Tel Aviv audience. "Interesting to see your history" // Photo: Alan Shiber

Looking back, are you glad you arrived in Israel? From the side, you seemed to be doing life here, on and off the field.

"Yes, it was a special experience I have never experienced. I have been to many places around the world, but never in Israel. It was interesting to see your entire history."

"Can go back to NBC"

One of the most memorable stories of Robinson's time in Israel occurred in the middle of a television interview on the sports channel. Raz Nissim Cohen, who at the time played in the National League, hiked the park while riding his bicycle, stopped, went to Robinson (650 career NBA games and one of the best jumpers in the last 20 years in the best league in the world) and plastered: "Come play me one One by one - I'll tear you down. "

Do you remember Raz Nissim Cohen?

"I'll tear Raz Nissim Cohen's ass."

Do you think you can go back to playing NBA?

"Of course I can go back there, but they don't want me. I hope someone else will."

Hapoel Tel Aviv management, for your care

Robinson, who will be celebrating his 36th birthday at the end of the month, has not found a team in the NBA since 2015, and, apart from brief experiences in JL, Venezuela and Lebanon, has spent most of the last years in the BIG3 (Basketball 3X3) league. His status as a cultural icon, if you were wondering, was not compromised.

Robinson in Drive In. In Michael's camp // Photo: Alan Shiber

In 2018, the US Comedy Basketball Comedy "Uncle Drew" (Uncle Drew) released, with Robinson as the lead character alongside Kerry Irving, Shaquille O'Neal, Reggie Miller and other NBC stars. "We don't stop playing because we're aging "We are getting older because we stop playing," says Boots, Robinson's aging character in the film. And when I ask him if he is already thinking about retirement and the day after basketball, he firmly replies: "Knight Robinson will never retire. I'll play basketball until I die. "

On the days when everyone talks about the "Last Dance" series, you can't help but ask: Are you from Jordan Camp or LeBron Camp?

"I'll always be in Jordan camp."

If one of Hapoel Tel Aviv's managers is calling you now and wants you to come back for another round, are you coming?

"If they want me to play, I'll come. I'm ready to go back to Hapoel Tel Aviv now."