How has Jerome Robinson fared in his rookie season in the NBA. Is he a prospect that could excite the LA Clippers faithful in the future? Let’s take a look.
The LA Clippers have concluded a large chunk of the regular season on a fairly successful note and thoroughly remain in contention for a playoff spot. Having commenced the season in the absence of an All Star, the ball club has remained competitive in the stacked Western Conference owing to a high brand of unselfish, tough basketball.
With tweeners Tobias Harris and Danilo Gallinari shouldering the burden of scoring the ball, Lou Williams occupying the role of a primary playmaker and Montrezl Harrell offering high energy plays off the bench, the Clippers have functioned smoothly on the offensive end. However, rim protection and team defense are facets the Clippers could strive to enhance as the season progresses.
To kick-start the off-season, the franchise drafted two young guards with tremendous promise. In Shai Gilgeous Alexander, the ball club invested in a high IQ, long guard with exceptional two-way potential and impressive intangibles. Likely to be the centerpiece of the organization in the coming years, his inclusion could offer the franchise a building block for the future.
Jerome Robinson, on the other hand has commenced his NBA career on a subpar note and instead spent the majority of his rookie season with the G League team, the Agua Caliente Clippers. However, this move seems to have aided his growth as he’s exhibited indications of his scoring prowess in limited minutes. Further, having meliorated his defensive work ethic, he’s been successfully integrated into Doc Rivers‘ system and has featured off the bench lately.
Originating from Boston where the city boasts a tough, chippy culture, he has been incorporated into the team’s rotation having incessantly worked on his game. Lacking a reliable drive game and isolation defense early in the season, he’s refined all facets of his game under the tutelage of the AC Clippers coach Brian Adams. Should he continue demonstrating a strong work ethic, he could replicate the success enjoyed by players of a similar mold in Devin Booker and CJ McCollum, who were incidentally picked late in their respective lotteries too.
Being mentored by a ‘professional scorer’ in Lou Williams, Robinson could make great strides as the season progresses. Having already established himself as a knockdown shooter and an invaluable floor spacer, the former Boston College graduate could blossom into a complete offensive package in the future. A perfect complimentary piece to the World Team electee, Gilgeous-Alexander, the Jerry West favorite could mature into a potent offensive weapon for the ball club.