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Nate Robinson

Celtics captain Paul Pierce believes it was important for Nate Robinson to escape the losing climate of the Knicks.

Pierce, taking a shot at New York, said Robinson needed a change of scenery after four-plus seasons with the Knicks.

“As a group, it’s helping him a lot,” Pierce told The Post.

“Seeing our habits on and off the court, he’s understanding it’s the better routine. When you get around a certain team and there’s no discipline, you tend to go off on your own and do whatever you want. It’s a lot different here. We’re a championship team on and off the court. He’s seeing it and learning from it.”

Real GM

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The Boston Celtics won a decisive Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, playing like a real team. Coach Doc Rivers exhorted his troops to play together to earn the victory, as illustrated during this timeout.

All Celtics adhered to the concept. Except, of course, for Nate Robinson.

HoopsNotes

Rajon Rondo

Celtics guard Rajon Rondo does not seem too excited that former New York Knicks headache Nate Robinson will be joining him in Boston.

When Rondo was asked what he thought about the trade, he said, “I don’t know, I don’t know. I hope it’s for the best.” He then lamented the loss of guard Eddie House, who Rondo said could drop 20 or 30 points in a game.

House could apparently score a lot fewer points than that in a game, too, since he is averaging 7.2 points and one assist per game as of last night. Robinson was putting up 13.2 points and 3.7 assists per game for the Knicks.

“We don’t make decision, we just play the game,” Rondo then said.

Yahoo Sports

Nate Robinson

Nate Robinson is reportedly on the verge of being traded to the Boston Celtics, according to a report from Alan Hahn of Newsday.

Sources claim that the deal is not official and it likely will not be until Thursday, but that it will probably include Eddie House and a second-round pick, among other pieces.

The Lakers had also been in talks with New York on Robinson.

Real GM

Nate Robinson

Nate Robinson was suspiciously absent from the Knicks last night here, home with flu-like symptoms — but he might be absent, period.

Coming off his third slam-dunk title, Robinson again is being shopped, with the trade deadline approaching tomorrow and the Boston trade rumors resurfacing again yesterday.

The Knicks deem Robinson purely as a shooting guard, and his departure would open up more playing time for rookie Toney Douglas.

HoopsWorld

DeMar DeRozan

Toronto rookie DeMar DeRozan has won the inaugural All-Star “Dunk-In” to earn a place in the slam dunk contest.

DeRozan defeated Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon at halftime of the rookie challenge on Friday night. Each player had two dunks, and Gordon struggled to put his first one down.

DeRozan earned 61 percent from fans who voted online and by text message.

He will compete against defending champion Nate Robinson, Charlotte All-Star Gerald Wallace and Lakers guard Shannon Brown on Saturday night during the final event of All-Star Saturday night.

ESPN.com

Nate Robinson

Nate Robinson is nursing a groin injury, which may prevent him from competing in Saturday’s dunk contest.

“He has to tell me how he feels,” Mike D’Antoni said.

“I have no idea how he feels. And if it bothers him, obviously the best thing to do is to rest it. But if he’s OK to compete, it’s a fun weekend and the NBA has asked him to do something and he’s the defending [champion] — so I can understand why he wants to. But he has to know his body and know what’s best for him.”

Real GM

Chris Duhon

Mike D’Antoni kept Chris Duhon on the bench for the entire second half of the Knicks’ home game versus the Wizards Wednesday night.

Nate Robinson started in Duhon’s place and propelled the Knicks to a 107-85 victory. Robinson led the team with 23 points and added 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals with only 2 turnovers.

After the game, D’Antoni indicated that Robinson could start the next game, which could mean that Duhon has played his way out of the rotation.

Larry Hughes, who had been complaining publicly about his lack of playing time, saw action and had 11 points.

Real GM