THOMAS Robinson hopes to complete an unfinished business in the PBA.
And having a second shot, another opportunity to play in Asia’s pioneering pro league is the way for him to realize that.
Stressing he just plays with a lot of emotions, Robinson said he wants to prove himself and erase whatever bad impression he left behind during his first stint with NLEX during last season’s Commissioner’s Cup.
“I’m not a bad person, I’m not a hot-tempered, out of control guy,” the talented import related to SPIN.ph.
“I want to fix any bad reputation. I want to clear things and let it be known what I feel, where my mindset is.”
The 33-year-old Robinson came over to the country bringing with him an impressive credential as a first round pick (no. 5 overall) of the Sacramento Kings in the 2012 NBA draft out of Kansas.
He also suited up for Houston, Portland, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and LA Lakers, before going overseas and play in big leagues around Russia, China, Turkey, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Nicaragua, Indonesia, and Lebanon.
Robinson did live up to his billing, showing his versatility on both ends of the floor by averaging 34.5 points, 13.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 block shots while keeping NLEX within the .500 mark behind a 2-2 record.
But beneath that talent, Robinson also blazed a trail of controversies, foremost of which was his infamous spat with Northport team manager Pido Jarencio that began inside the playing court of the Smart Araneta Coliseum and eventually spilled at the hallway leading to the teams' locker room in a 112-104 win by the Road Warriors.
LOOK: Thomas Robinson gets into shouting match with Pido Jarencio
NLEX management eventually had to let go of Robinson when he went on an unplanned vacation and thereby, missed team practices.
The import, who had an aborted stint with San Miguel prior to NLEX, admitted disappointing his family following the unceremonious exit as the Robinsons had come to love their stay in the Philippines, brief as it may be.
"My family was pretty upset that we have to leave. They’re still (is) until today. They fell so in love with the Philippines,” said Robinson. “I want to come, and my family is thinking about making the Philippines a long term place for us. So we’re looking forward to that.”
Now he wants to rectify everything and wishes to have another shot at playing in the 49-year-old league, especially with the mid-season Commissioner's Cup next in line and featuring imports of unlimited height.
Coming off a stint in Puerto Rico, Robinson said he's willing to play for any team that will give him a chance, including NLEX.and Northport.
“I have been talking with my management and realizing where I want to be at for the rest of my career,” he said. “I told them that the Philippines of all the places I’ve been, is the best and I like to finish my career there if it is possible.”
And it’s not just a brief stint that Robinson is planning, but a longer one at that.
“Hopefully, I can get on a team out there and try to stick and try to be a resident there,” added Robinson, who is a naturalized Lebanese since 2021.
He added his family relished the first time it stayed here in the country that it doesn't mind sticking around for a longer period of time.
“I mainly want my voice be heard. I’m really focus on trying to win and stay in the Philippines long term. I’ve been a journeyman my whole career and I just finally want to stay somewhere that I know will be comfortable for me and my family,” said the Washington D.C. native.
“I just know right now I’m getting in the best shape of my life, I know that I had strong three, four, five years in me and I want to win and want to really win somewhere.”
Robinson also has nothing but respect for the NLEX management and the entire organization.
“I love to go back to NLEX. I love those guys over there,” said the former NBA player who is a co-founder of the Family Over Everything Foundation with the Morris twins, Marcus and Markieff.
Rebooting his unfinished career in the PBA also meant letting bygones be bygones with the 60-year-old Jarencio.
“I sincerely want to send my apologies to him and I want him to know that I didn’t learn about him until after the incident. I now apologize and has a high respect at what he has done in basketball,” said Robinson of the former PBA player and coach.
Remorseful, Robinson is not about to waste another opportunity to showcase the kind of player that he truly is.
Everybody afterall, deserves a second chance.
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