Portland Trail Blazers 2013 NBA Player Profile: Thomas Robinson

Let me make this clear before I go in on this guy: PF Thomas Robinson was that dude at the University of Kansas. He was drafted with the fifth overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in 2012 and had all the makings of a true bruising power forward in the tradition of former New York Knicks enforcer Charles Oakley, but with far more athleticism and skill.

However, that assessment was largely based on the way he bullied and out-muscled opponents on the collegiate level. Every year, players are built up in the media and are subsequently torn down for not meeting their standards. But in Robinson’s, case the media isn’t tearing him apart. They have actually been quite kind. Perhaps they need to start being more frank.

Maybe that will activate his competitive fire. No one is going to come out and say it, but this guy appears to be on a the midnight train to mediocrity. After spending time with the Kings and the Houston Rockets, Robinson now finds himself on the Portland Trail Blazers backing up LaMarcus Aldridge. Unless he finally decides what type of player he is, he’s going to see a diagnosis of chronic splinter-itis is in his immediate future.

I mean, not for nothin’, but he has access to the finest shooting coaches, conditioning coaches, motivational speakers and basketball minds in the known universe. For him to have shown no improvement in his game up until this point is beyond a shame and bordering on basketball blasphemy. Maybe he could take a few pointers from the playing style of Hall of Famer Truck Robinson, who dominated in the paint despite being undersized.

He needs to do something soon because up until now, he’s been looking more like Yuck Robinson. Come on, Brougham!

Ricardo A. Hazell is a freelance writer with Rant Sports based in New York City. You may follow him on Twitter at NikosMightyDad or add him to your network on Google Plus.