Robinson Thriving as a Starter

Kevin Pelton, StormBasketball.com | July 28, 2011

What began as a matchup adjustment is beginning to take on the air of permanence. When Ashley Robinson got her first start of the season for the Seattle Storm last Tuesday in Chicago, it was largely to deal with the Sky's frontline of 6-5 Michelle Snow and 6-6 Sylvia Fowles. Robinson earned another start with the best performance of her WNBA career, and three games later, she's done nothing to indicate she ought to head back to the bench any time soon.

Well before she became a starter, Robinson was enjoying an incredible month of June. Lauren Jackson's absence opened up regular playing time in the middle, and Robinson has been a consistent contributor. That Robinson has helped the Storm play stout defense is nothing new. Her shot blocking and rebounding have always been valuable, especially given the Storm's lack of size in the post without Jackson. Robinson's scoring prowess, however, is newfound.

Against Chicago, Robinson scored a career-high 14 points. As if to prove the performance wasn't a fluke, she's followed it up with 14 points in the last two games. Six times in the month, Robinson has scored at least six points. All told, she's scored more in the month of July (57 points) than any of her full seasons with the Storm.

About the least surprised observers have been Robinson's teammates. They've watched Robinson perform like this behind closed doors. It was just a matter of her having the opportunity and ability to translate that production into a game setting.

"We've really been seeing things that she's been doing all season long in practice," said Sue Bird. "You've kind of seen glimpses of it in different games. The other night in Chicago, she was very confident. That's the word I would use to describe her play. She's definitely developed a confidence over the last year or so. You can see it."

"I've been seeing what I saw last year, training camp, and now she's really getting an opportunity," added Swin Cash.

The first factor that has made Robinson a different player on offense is her finishing. When defenses pay too much attention to Bird or Tanisha Wright as Robinson screens for the Storm's guards, she's been able to take advantage by scoring off the feed in the paint. That series of high-percentage look has allowed Robinson to shoot 56.1 percent from the field this season, a career high and third in the WNBA among players with at least 50 shot attempts.

"I think what you're seeing now is a confidence, almost a calmness about her offensively," said Bird, "where she might have rushed in the past."

At the same time, Robinson's confidence has also allowed her to expand her offensive repertoire. In addition to the scores in the paint, Robinson has also found success from farther out with a hook shot and a turnaround jumper from 10-12 feet. These shots are forcing opposing defenses to account for Robinson.

Storm Head Coach Brian Agler has been one of Robinson's most vocal supporters because of the potential he saw in her game. Now, that vision is becoming reality.

"Granted, we're talking about a couple of games here, but she's starting to do some things we thought she could do," he said. "Some of it's confidence; some of it's probably opportunity, but whatever it is she's taking advantage of it and we hope that she continues to do that."

Of all the benefits of Robinson's offensive development, perhaps the most important is that it's allowed her to stay on the floor for longer stretches so the Storm can take advantage of her defensive presence. With increased minutes, Robinson is racking up bigger numbers - she blocked three shots against the Sky and has averaged 8.7 rebounds in her three starts. More importantly, a Storm defense anchored by Robinson has proven a difficult challenge for opponents. With Robinson as a starter, the Storm is holding teams an average of 12.8 points per 100 possessions below their usual offensive output.

It's those kind of results that have impressed Cash.

"Early on, the coaches talked about how she was going to be the Most Improved this year," she said. "It's not even her numbers - it's her presence on the floor and the things that she's doing and making happen."

That was certainly the case in the Storm's blowout win over San Antonio last Thursday. During that game, the Storm outscored the Silver Stars by an incredible 30 points in Robinson's 30 minutes of action. If Robinson continues to have an impact anything like that, she'll continue to hear her name called with the starters for a while.

"Sometimes, players can be on the bench and not get opportunities because you have great players in front of you," said Cash. "Unfortunately, she's been given her opportunity through an injury to Lauren, but she's taken full advantage of it and she's really shone."