Nathaniel Cornelius Robinson. Ring a bell? Well, his bell was also rung, as this is the same Nate Robinson who got absolutely rocked by Jake Paul in the fight that was supposed to end the Jake Paul talk. Regardless of his fighting skills (you’ll get ’em next time, Nate), he was one stud of a basketball player. His basketball resume is especially respectable when you look at the one thing that was supposed to limit him: his height.

Standing at 5’9, the odds have truly been stacked against Nate from the start. Nate didn’t listen to the haters, and he started to prove to society that short people can do BIG things. Make sure you turn the sound up for this mixtape, trust me.

If that didn’t make you want to run through a brick wall, you must be crazy. Nate was a deadly assassin in high school, ultimately leading him to play football at the University of Washington. Robinson played one season on the turf for the Huskies, but his heart was leading him to basketball. With the firing of Head Coach Rick Neuheisel after Nate’s freshman year, it all added up for him to now play basketball for the Huskies. The decision to change sports was tough, especially considering that Nate allegedly turned down $100k each of the next three years from a booster. You’re the man, Nate.

Now, you may be wondering why we’re even talking about the Dunk King in the first place. Remember the 2012-2013 season when we had no D-Rose and everybody counted us out? The Bulls finished that season 45-37 and lost to the Heat in five games in the 2nd round of the playoffs, ultimately proving everyone wrong that we weren’t a joke without Rose. None of this could have been done without Nate.

Remembering His Time With The Bulls

Nate ended up playing in every game for the Bulls during the 2012-2013 season, including the playoffs. He did this all while averaging right around 13 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal for the year. That’s pretty impressive for a one-year stint with a team, especially when you have to help fill in for the missing MVP.

His time with the Bulls may have only lasted a season, but he was able to showcase why teams shouldn’t count him out numerous times, including one on LeBlock himself:

OTD 2013, @Nate_Robinson timed this block perfectly. pic.twitter.com/3y236Xbig8

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 10, 2020

Sheesh. The Heat may have won the series (and the championship), but Nate proved that he doesn’t take anything from anybody. He’s always going to fight back and grind it out (at least in basketball) and you can never take that away from him. Oh, and for all those who say Nate can’t shoot:

Throwback to when Nate Robinson went 7-7 from deep in 2013! pic.twitter.com/WchSxxRAet

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 13, 2019

Cash. Wet. Buckets. Whatever you wanna say, Nate was the spark this team needed.

The Mini MJ Game

The time that Nate got to play for the Bulls was full of highs and lows, hopes and disappointments. We witnessed a team come together and fight back after losing its star player, and they even made it past a tough Nets team in the 1st round of the playoffs. This series is what marks Nate’s time with the Bulls, specifically game 4.

(2013) Nate Robinson goes OFF vs. the Nets in a wild comeback playoff win.

He had 23 of his 34 points in the 4th quarter and the Bulls won 142-134 in triple OT. pic.twitter.com/JZA0yZuhpO

— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) February 25, 2020

The Bulls were down by eight going into the 4th quarter, but Nate decided that was enough. After putting up 23 points in the final quarter, one point away from MJ’s franchise record, Nate the Great forced OT…three OT’s to be exact. The Bulls ended up winning this game, and it couldn’t have been without help from the Calf himself, Nate Robinson (last short joke…maybe).

Respect This Man

Nate may have moved on from the NBA in an attempt to stop Jake Paul’s success, but as we now have seen, basketball may be his true calling after all. Robinson can be watched nowadays in the BIG3 league, as he’s a part of team Tri-State.

Nate will forever be one of the greatest players who’s had to fight against their physical limitations, and he’s done that in so many different ways. It was a pleasure getting to watch him ball out for our beloved Bulls, and maybe this new gig in the BIG3 will bring him back to the Windy City. You’re always welcome, Nate.