The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks have rekindled talks and are on the verge of making a deal landing Nate Robinson in Boston. According to the Boston Herald, the deal will likely be for Eddie House, whom has played for Mike D’Antoni previously in Phoenix.

Nate will bring Celtics fans excitement and bench scoring. (Credit: picapp.com)

Robinson has the chance to play a meaningful role for a title contender, rather than settling for life as a slam dunk champion on a horrible New York Knicks team.

“Krypto Nate” represents a significant acquisition for Boston and will reinforce glaring needs for the Celtics: youth, athleticism, speed, and quickness. Also included, electrifying offense. Nate has a career average of 12.5 points in 24.8 minutes, which is the type of productivity Boston sorely needs.

Nate has a reputation for being detrimental to his team, evidenced by his rift with D’Antoni involving the infamous “shoot the ball at the opponents basket” incident earlier this year:

If Robinson does something like that in Boston, odds are good Rasheed picks up a technical for fighting his own teammate.

Playing for a team like the Celtics, and with the support and comradeship Kevin Garnett instills in his teammates, Robinson will have the environment and opportunity to mature into a well rounded player. (On that note, J.R. Smith is probably the only player in the NBA who could come to the Celtics and ending up worse, just had to get that out.)

Nate does have a clause in his contract allowing him to veto a deal if he dislikes the destination, but it’s doubtful he’ll exercise it with a trade destination like Boston.

The 2010 NBA Slam Dunk Contest features incumbent “Krypto” Nate Robinson,   Gerald Wallace, Shannon Brown. The winner of a “dunk off” during halftime of the Rookie Challenge between Eric Gordon and DeMar DeRozan will decide the 4th participant.

Coverage begins live February 13th at 8 PM EST on TNT.

Will "Krypto" Nate be dethroned this year?

Nate Robinson will not be competing against his rival Dwight Howard this year, as Howard opted not to participate. Here is a brief synopsis, including who I think will win the “dunk off,” on what Robinson faces in this years competition.

GERALD WALLACE

Gerald Wallace makes his return to the slam dunk contest for the first time since 2002, his rookie year with Sacramento Kings.

Wallace is planning to keep it simple, and focus more on making solid dunks rather than buying into the theatrics.

He has this to say about his strategy:

“I think I’m too old for all the spectacular dunks. I’ll try to keep it simple – the most important part is making all your dunks. When I was in it my rookie season, they had the dunk wheel” directing you to do a particular kind of dunk, Wallace said. “You didn’t get to choose a dunk. You basically spun the wheel and did dunks from past slam-dunk champions.”

Wallace sneezes athleticism. Since he no longer will be dictated which style of dunk to mimick during the contest, he is allowed to explore his nasty, yet creative side.

If you watch the footage below, you will see what Wallace has to bring to competition.

So look out for the guy who Shannon Brown, a former teammate of Wallace when he was a member of the Bobcats, refers to as “The Human Helicopter.”

SHANNON BROWN

Shannon Brown is synonymous with “unbelievably athletically gifted.” At 6’3″ he has a huge wingspan, and seemingly limitless hops.

It is hard to imagine that anyone in this competition possessing a higher vertical leaping ability than Brown.

He has had some unbelievable dunks this season. Be it during a fast break,  transition after a steal, or an offensive rebound, Brown has smashed on people’s heads like it is absolutely effortless.

He consistently leaves capacity-crowded stadiums utterly silent and dumbfounded with his dunks regularly.

He literally owned Mikki Moore, smashing Moore in his 7-foot head with his butt, while ripping the rim. It makes me have trouble believing that Moore did not cry himself to sleep that night.

Here, have a look at one of the most demoralizing slam dunks I have ever watched.

Warning, if you are a fan of Mikki Moore, you should seriously consider not watching this:

Brown’s dunking is so impressive that is spawned a online movement, www.letshannondunk.com, in order to help petition a spot for him in the competition.

ERIC GORDON vs. DEMAR DEROZAN

Predicted Winner: Eric Gordan

Eric Gordon is the least talked about, with many favoring DeMar Derozan to make it into the competition. People shouldn’t sleep on Gordon simply because he doesn’t play a flashy game of basketball.

Gordon reminds me of Brandon Roy in that he is very intelligent on the floor. He knows how to avoid wasting energy, and therefore doesn’t try to rip off the rim on his dunks.

Just wait until he does.

Gordon sticks to the core fundamental basketball basics in most situations, so a dunk filled highlight reel is somewhat limited in his repertoire compared to competitor DeMar DeRozan’s.

Gordon is a fierce competitor, and I predict he will take DeRozan, and make his way into the competition.

No discredit to DeRozan, but it seems to obvious to me that this silent underdog will come out on top.

Here is a little reel of Eric Gordon, just so you can see what I am talking about:

It remains to be seen if Nate Robinson will be dethroned this year, but if he isn’t he will become the first ever 3-time winner of the NBA Dunk Contest.

For Nate, this might be the biggest and most motivational bright spot in yet another dismal year New York Knicks basketball. That is some serious motivation for ‘lil Nate.

I predict that Shannon Brown will dethrone Nate, and in doing so, will reveal dunks that are simply beautiful to watch.

I just hope Brown doesn’t injure his head on the rim or backboard.

David Lee is the latest NBA player (joining Nate Robinson) in the NBA rumor mill who has reportedly received a viable offer from Greek basketball team Olympiacos CFP (spelled with a “c” anywhere else but the US).

"I will start a Greek Basketball riot up in here!" (Credit: picapp.com)

Josh Childress recently announced he was returning for a second tour of duty in Greece, while guard Jannero Pargo returned to the Chicago Bulls this season after finishing the year with Olympiacos. He started the 2008-09 season with Dynamo Moscow before they bought out his contract due to financial hardships. Why not support Olympiacos? They pay all the players taxes and agent fees of the contract. That’s correct, Josh Childress makes $20 million dollars out of a possible $20 million dollars. If you’re a capitalist, you gotta love this set-up.

"What, you mean to tell me you PAY your agent?" (Credit: picapp.com)

David Lee is a hot NBA commodity, far more so than Nate Robinson. Lee averaged more double-doubles last year than anyone else in the league. For him to not get the money he is asking for is ridiculous when players such as Andrew Bogut and Luol Deng earn $12 Million annually. The NBA, like life, isn’t always fair.

Lee has remained productive and healthy while outperforming both.

Nate Robinson is the more realistic candidate to join Olympiacos. Nate will not find anywhere near the cash stateside that he could earn in Greece. Olympiacos is rumored to be offering up $10 million for two years. His size and electrifying style of play would be tremendously entertaining to Olympiacos fans.

"Geez, I dunno, $10 million for 2 years is good coin." (Credit: picapp.com)

The biggest issue Robinson faces is his temperament. He could be a major distraction to any team, and playing overseas might not be the greatest place for him.

When compared to someone like Josh Childress, a model citizen and former Stanford player, life in Greece might be very hard for Nate.

He will be well-paid to be on his best behavior.

When you hear that Olympiakcs has endlessly-deep wallets, and rumored to prepare an offer to LeBron James in the $100 million for two years range, it makes you wonder: how much longer before these Euro teams force their way into the NBA?

When does the NBA go global? When will the first true “Greek-style” long distance riot break out between NBA and Euro NBA teams?

Rioting fans? Mound of Rebound can get down to basketball like that! (Credit: picapp.com)

Regardless when, one thing is for sure: I like this team. An Olympiacos fan is born!