Boston Celtics Nate Robinson Needs "Ubuntu" to Be Great

The Celtics have traded one diminutive shooter for another, the difference being that  Nate Robinson can create his shot whereas Eddie House needs help to do so.

Nate Robinson, the reigning 2010 NBA Slam Dunk Champion, comes to town. His speciality is to shoot, shoot, and shoot some more.  

Doc Rivers has never asked his players to change their games; he asks them to play defense.  If defense means that you give up your body by taking a charge, then so be it. 

Doc envisions Rajon Rondo and Nate Robinson harassing opposing backcourts up the floor. This may all be true, but Nate Robinson is not going to save the Boston Celtics season.  

Ironically, he makes his debut against his former team, the New York Knicks.  A game that was merely a blip on the Celtic regular season schedule has now taken on new life.

Eddie House also returns to the TD Garden and the Celtic faithful will definitely show their appreciation.

The New York Knicks, under Mike D'Antoni, had no inclination to play defense.  New York has a penchant for allowing opposing teams to score just to get the ball back.

The concept of team offense, much less team defense, has been a very foreign concept in Robinson's NBA career.  His basketball IQ will be severely tested in Doc Rivers' system.

He must learn how to feed his own need to score yet be a willing passer and most importantly be a help defender.

Tonight will be the beginning of Nate Robinson's journey to the neighborhood of "ubuntu"; a journey he must embrace for a chance to win a championship.