Why Nate Robinson Is Perfect Fit as 6th Man for Chicago Bulls

If you're an NBA fan, you know that the saying "good things come in small packages" is especially true of Nate Robinson.

At 5'7", he is not only incredibly quick and efficient on the floor, but he has a vertical big enough to land him in the slam dunk competitions. And if you're a Bulls fan, you know Robinson will be the perfect sixth man for Chicago.

Although a void was left when Derrick Rose tore his ACL, Kirk Hinrich looks to fill that starting spot for the Bulls while Robinson is slated to come off the bench. Robinson stands a solid chance of proving himself as the next-best thing while in training camp.

Chicago lost several of its valuable bench players via free agency, and there are openings to be filled. The second unit needs someone to provide a scoring punch, and Robinson is that guy.

Last season, he scored 11.2 points per game in addition to dishing out 4.5 assists. During his time with Golden State, he proved he can step up when it counts. When Stephen Curry was sidelined, Robinson delivered several above-average games. Curry's absence also gave Robinson a chance to serve as starting point guard.

Some fans may feel 2012 draft pick Marquis Teague will make a better backup to Hinrich, but Robinson is a more proven athlete on the floor. Although the two have similar numbers at first glance, Robinson holds a higher percentage from the perimeter and the charity stripe, and he is a better ball-handler.

Teague has strong potential, but he's young and inexperienced. Last season, he averaged 2.7 turnovers per game for Kentucky.

On top of that, head coach Tom Thibodeau tends to stray away from giving rookies huge minutes before settling into the system. I expect him to utilize Robinson heavily to start the season, and it will be up to the veteran to solidify his role in Chicago.

Another huge need for the Bulls that Robinson will provide is fan energy and morale. Since losing Rose in last year's postseason, there has no doubt been a sense of discouragement among supporters. As a former NBA slam dunk champion, the Washington alum certainly knows how to generate some excitement.

Having Robinson on the floor will have an immediate effect on both team performance and overall atmosphere. All things considered, he was a great pickup for the Bulls.