In the wake of the Robertson hiring yesterday, I thought I'd go a bit more in-depth on Theo and what he's done since he left when Montgomery retired. He was director of basketball ops then, but he's had three positions in the league since, video intern with the Warriors in 2014-15 (championship year), a bump up to video coordinator in 2015-16, then a move to the Lakers this year as their player development coach. Robertson will join the staff when the NBA season ends, since the Lakers aren't going to the playoffs unless multiple teams ahead of them spontaneously combust.
Warriors Stint
During his first year with the Warriors, Theo was a video intern, which put a lot of his duties in the advanced scouting/splicing film/breakdown of opponent tendencies area. In an article with Faraudo before the Finals in 2015, Robertson had a couple things to say about the position
“It’s really a job I wanted to do coming into the league,” he said. “I think it’s the best way to get an understanding of the NBA game and coaches’ philosophies.”
and
“I’ve always understood what my contribution is, and I take great pride in that,” he said. “But we have a fantastic organization. You certainly don’t feel like an intern, let me put it that way. You feel like a member of this team.”
Working under Kerr, current Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry, and longtime NBA assistant Ron Adams helped in that regard, as Robertson impressed enough to be promoted to video coordinator/player development, continuing preparing video for the staff as well as working with players on a day to day basis. In an article from the California Magazine, an effort from the Cal Alumni Association, there's details of his work going up against guys like Shaun Livingston in practice, who talked a bit about him
“He’s part of the strand in the DNA that keeps the chemistry, keeps everything positive and live,” Livingston says. “There’s just good energy and good vibes when he’s around.”
And a bit on his work ethic.
"During last year’s NBA Finals, for instance, Robertson found video of all of LeBron James’ turnaround jump shots from the “left block” (one side of the lane). He also compiled clips showing all of one Warriors player’s minutes at power forward in Golden State’s two regular-season games against Cleveland."
Robertson impressed Luke Walton during that year, enough for the Lakers coach to bring him on staff as their player development coach, moving him to a seat on the bench as opposed to behind it.
Lakers stint
It's been less than a year for Robertson with the Lakers, and with the youth, incomplete nature of the roster, and the Game of Thrones level of drama surrounding the Buss family ownership, the Lakers have been a work in progress in the good times, and an incomplete mess in the bad times. That said, Robertson has gotten key experience as a player development coach, again working with guys one on one, including post prospects Tarik Black and Thomas Robinson, as well as coaching the Lakers summer league team for their final game in the summer. Robertson had this to say about the experience.
“It really speaks to both Luke and Jesse (Mermuys, another assistant)— just their willingness to extend me that opportunity to really grow and be in that seat, which is completely different,” Robertson said. “Get my feet wet and lead that group. ... From a competitive standpoint, I had a blast doing it. Just looking forward to another opportunity to do so."
Robertson has been bumped up the ladder in each successive year of his tenure in the NBA. He doesn't appear to have a certain style that he's known for, other than meticulous attention to detail with his scouting reports and a willingness to get hands-on with players, which will be a good thing for building connections with the players at Cal. And having that ring as a part of the Warriors staff will be a very good tool in recruiting
Warriors Stint
During his first year with the Warriors, Theo was a video intern, which put a lot of his duties in the advanced scouting/splicing film/breakdown of opponent tendencies area. In an article with Faraudo before the Finals in 2015, Robertson had a couple things to say about the position
“It’s really a job I wanted to do coming into the league,” he said. “I think it’s the best way to get an understanding of the NBA game and coaches’ philosophies.”
and
“I’ve always understood what my contribution is, and I take great pride in that,” he said. “But we have a fantastic organization. You certainly don’t feel like an intern, let me put it that way. You feel like a member of this team.”
Working under Kerr, current Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry, and longtime NBA assistant Ron Adams helped in that regard, as Robertson impressed enough to be promoted to video coordinator/player development, continuing preparing video for the staff as well as working with players on a day to day basis. In an article from the California Magazine, an effort from the Cal Alumni Association, there's details of his work going up against guys like Shaun Livingston in practice, who talked a bit about him
“He’s part of the strand in the DNA that keeps the chemistry, keeps everything positive and live,” Livingston says. “There’s just good energy and good vibes when he’s around.”
And a bit on his work ethic.
"During last year’s NBA Finals, for instance, Robertson found video of all of LeBron James’ turnaround jump shots from the “left block” (one side of the lane). He also compiled clips showing all of one Warriors player’s minutes at power forward in Golden State’s two regular-season games against Cleveland."
Robertson impressed Luke Walton during that year, enough for the Lakers coach to bring him on staff as their player development coach, moving him to a seat on the bench as opposed to behind it.
Lakers stint
It's been less than a year for Robertson with the Lakers, and with the youth, incomplete nature of the roster, and the Game of Thrones level of drama surrounding the Buss family ownership, the Lakers have been a work in progress in the good times, and an incomplete mess in the bad times. That said, Robertson has gotten key experience as a player development coach, again working with guys one on one, including post prospects Tarik Black and Thomas Robinson, as well as coaching the Lakers summer league team for their final game in the summer. Robertson had this to say about the experience.
“It really speaks to both Luke and Jesse (Mermuys, another assistant)— just their willingness to extend me that opportunity to really grow and be in that seat, which is completely different,” Robertson said. “Get my feet wet and lead that group. ... From a competitive standpoint, I had a blast doing it. Just looking forward to another opportunity to do so."
Robertson has been bumped up the ladder in each successive year of his tenure in the NBA. He doesn't appear to have a certain style that he's known for, other than meticulous attention to detail with his scouting reports and a willingness to get hands-on with players, which will be a good thing for building connections with the players at Cal. And having that ring as a part of the Warriors staff will be a very good tool in recruiting
