GR3 Returns, Pacers beat Hawks
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — Glenn Robinson III returned to action for the Indiana Pacers on Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks. It was a long road back after having surgery to repair medial and lateral ligaments in his left ankle before the season.
He played nine minutes in the 1st-half, scoring four points on 2-of-3 from the field. He struggled in the second half with his shot, missing all three shots he attempted. Putting the numbers aside, he looked comfortable in his first action of the season
“I thought he looked okay,” Pacers Coach Nate McMillan said. “The plan was to give him five minutes in the first half and five in the second, but he didn’t look fatigued so we stayed with him. He looked very comfortable out there and gave us good minutes at that wing position.”
Robinson III was just happy to be back: “It felt great to get a lot of minutes and help my team win,” he said. “Probably 80% of it (recovering) has been mental. Just getting over that hump. I wasn’t nervous. I was more hyped up. We were joking that I’d probably air-ball my first shot, so it’s funny that’s how it turned out. I just laughed it off and knocked down my next one.”
GR3 after the win: “I wasn’t nervous. I was hyped up. I just laughed it off (the air-ball) and knocked down the next one.” pic.twitter.com/775LdDSoW9
— Tyler Smith (@TylerSmith_ISL) February 24, 2018
After posting career-highs in points (6.1), field-goal percentage (.467), 3-point percentage (.392), and rebounds (3.6) a season ago, Robinson III was primed to take his game to another level this season. He’s just 24 years old, has a lot of upside, and the work ethic to go with it.
A warm ovation for Third. pic.twitter.com/I9RKFJrrjr
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 24, 2018
Some fans have questioned why there’s been so much hype for a guy that has averaged 4.4 points per game in his career. But the talent is there, and his skills can really add a lot to this already surprising Pacers team.
Fans should also recall what Larry Bird saw in GR3 three years ago. In 2015, Bird told the IndyStar: “I’ve been trying to acquire him for a year,” Bird said. “He’s very impressive to me. He’s long, strong, and big.”
Kevin Pritchard sees the potential as well. On media day, Pritchard said: “He’s athletic, obviously. But, he’s got to use that athleticism all the time and he’s got to be determined every single game. I think he’s really determined to show he can exist in this league.”
“I’ve got great teammates around, and a great coaching staff who believe in me,” said GR3. “They wanted to see me out there so bad and they were just as excited as I was. They’ve always made me feel part of this team but to be able to put on the jersey for the first time and be able to be out there with my brothers means a lot.”
McMillan said the plan for the immediate future would be to play GR3 15-20 minutes per game off the bench. The Pacers didn’t make any moves at the trade deadline, but adding Glenn Robinson III may be all they needed.
Glenn Robinson III says he's "just been anxious to get on the court again — especially with this team, as much fun as they have." #Pacers pic.twitter.com/gBZnr4K3WD
— FOX Sports Indiana (@FSIndiana) February 23, 2018
