Giving credit where credit is due: Russell Robinson

Can I just inject for a moment how much of a fan I am of Russell Robinson? After such a tough adjustment during his freshman season (remember the talk about him transferring), he has become a rock solid point guard and has matured so much on and off the court. He has been the pulse for this team and will continue to do so this season. He doesn't get near the credit he deserves because he doesn't have the "flash" and the preseason awards and the NBA talk, but he is the glue of this team.

Congratulations, Russell. You've become a man right before our eyes. And you deserve to cut down those nets in Atlanta.

This Jayhawk fan will be rooting hard for you to do just that.

Mic

KU wants Robinson to be its voice
BY RICK PLUMLEE
The Wichita Eagle
LAWRENCE - If you see Russell Robinson's jaws moving more on the court, along the sideline or whenever he's around his Kansas teammates this season, then you know a leader is blossoming.
Not that leading is all about talking.
But in Robinson's case, the junior point guard has all the leadership qualities except the words.
"I'm not vocal," Robinson said, "but I'm working on it."
As the No. 3 Jayhawks open their season tonight against Northern Arizona, they have some nice pieces that could fit together for a remarkable year.
What they need most of all to make it work is a leader. This is also a team that doesn't have a leader in the most complete sense.
"You see the really, really great leaders -- the Larry Birds, Magic Johnsons and Michael Jordans of the world -- they all do this," KU coach Bill Self said as he made the motion of flapping jaws with his fingers and thumb. "The really great leaders all talked."
OK, so the Jayhawks don't have a Bird, Johnson or a Jordan. But they do have Robinson.
"Of all the players, they'll look to Russell more than anyone else," Self added. "They'll look to him when times are tough.
"Nobody is the pulse of the team or more valuable to the team than Russell. He is a leader. But he would be a better and more effective leader if he was more vocal. We've talked about that a thousand times."
And Robinson can just about recall every one of those conversations.
Running the offense, stealing balls, scoring as needed. That's his game. Off the court, he hangs out with his teammates. Movies, video games and so on.
But talk?
"That's not the first thing I want to do," he said. "I'm more leader-by-example guy, but lately I've been more vocal."
Brandon Rush agreed.
"In practices, Russell is starting to speak up when we don't get things right," the sophomore guard said. "He used to leave it up to the coaches to chew us out."
KU has its talkers. Forward Julian Wright, for example. But like his game, sometimes his words tumble out at such a fast pace that you're not sure where he's going.
Plus, it works better if the leadership comes from a guard. Although Robinson grew up in New York City, the land of too much talk, Robinson arrived at KU shy and quiet. He's gradually climbed out of that shell and is far more communicative now.
"Russell is about leading by example, not words," junior forward Darnell Jackson said. "We all respect that. But sometimes you need one guy to speak up."
Robinson was the team's leader last year, so it's not exactly a new role for him. The only question now is whether he can upgrade as a leader.
His game already speaks volumes.
"He's not going to average 15 a game, but he could get 20 in any game," Self said. "You should always judge Russell on whether your team has more points than the other team at the end of the game, because that's what he's about.
"He's become a good basketball player. He's older, wiser, tougher and a competitor. And he's talking more. He just needs to get more comfortable doing that."