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Truck Robinson

Robinson in 1975
Personal information
Born	(1951-10-04)October 4, 1951 (age 74) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school	William M. Raines (Jacksonville, Florida)
College	Tennessee State (1970–1974)
NBA draft	1974: 2nd round, 22nd overall pick
Drafted by	Washington Bullets
Playing career	1974–1985
Position	Power forward
Number	33, 21, 23
Coaching career	2009–2012
Career history
Playing
1974–1977	Washington Bullets
1977	Atlanta Hawks
1977–1979	New Orleans Jazz
1979–1982	Phoenix Suns
1982–1985	New York Knicks
Coaching
2009–2012	Sacramento Kings (assistant)
Career highlights
2×NBA All-Star (1978,1981) All-NBA First Team (1978) NBA rebounding leader (1978)
Career NBA statistics
Points	11,988 (15.5 ppg)
Rebounds	7,267 (9.4 rpg)
Assists	1,348 (1.7 apg)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats atBasketball Reference

Leonard Eugene "Truck"Robinson (born October 4, 1951) is an American former professionalbasketball player and coach. He played in theNational Basketball Association (NBA) for theWashington Bullets (1974–1977),Atlanta Hawks (1977),New Orleans Jazz (1977–1979),Phoenix Suns (1979–1982), andNew York Knicks (1982–1985).

In 11 seasons Robinson played in 772 games, stayed 25,141 minutes on the court and had a .483 field goal percentage (4,816 for 9,971), .662 free throw percentage (2,355 for 3,556), 7,267 total rebounds (1,985 offensive and 5,282 defensive), 1,348 assists, 533 steals, 510 blocks, 2,253 personal fouls and 11,988 points. He ranks in the NBA's top 100 lists for career rebounds, defensive rebounds and career rebounds per game.

He was an Eastern Conference champion in 1975 with the Bullets. In the 1977–78 season with the Jazz, he led the NBA in minutes played (3,638), defensive rebounds (990), total rebounds (1,288) and rebounds per game (15.7), in addition to being named to the All-NBA First Team and East All-Star Team the same season. He was also named to the West All-Star Team in 1981, the year he and the Suns won the Pacific Division.

Following his retirement from playing, Robinson served as an assistant coach for theSacramento Kings from 2009 to 2012.^[1]

Known throughout the league as "Truck", Leonard Robinson used his rugged body, intelligent playmaking, and sure shot to become one of the game's best forwards in the 1970s and 1980s. Fundamentally sound in every area, he had the strength and physical attributes of a power forward along with the mobility of a small forward. He delivered a consistent cargo of offensive firepower and uncanny rebounding for 11 years in the NBA. A two-time All-Star, Robinson had his finest season with theNew Orleans Jazz in 1977–78, when he averaged 22.7 points and led the NBA with 15.7 rebounds per game.

After starring atTennessee State University, Robinson was taken by theWashington Bullets in the second round of the1974 NBA draft. As a rookie in 1974–75, Robinson had to wait his turn behindElvin Hayes andMike Riordan and averaged just 5.8 points in 13.1 minutes per game. He made small contributions on a Bullets team that reached theNBA Finals that year, losing to theGolden State Warriors in four games.

Robinson's playing time doubled in his sophomore season, and his scoring and rebounding numbers improved accordingly. But it wasn't until the 1976–77 campaign, when the Bullets sent Robinson toAtlanta forTom Henderson and a draft choice, that Robinson established himself as a star. In split duty between the Bullets and Hawks, Robinson averaged 19.0 points and 10.8 rebounds.

Prior to the 1977–78 season Robinson signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Jazz, and the Jazz sent the Hawks Ron Behagen (and cash) as compensation. In his only full season with the Jazz, Robinson turned in the finest performance of his career. At just 6-foot-7, he became one of the first non-centers ever to lead the league in rebounding, grabbing 15.7 boards per game. He also notched his career-best scoring effort (22.7 ppg), made his first All-Star appearance, and was named to the All-NBA First Team at season's end.

The Jazz, under CoachElgin Baylor, went 39-43 but missed the playoffs for the fourth time in their four-year history.Robinson started well in 1978–79, averaging 24.2 points and 13.4 rebounds through the first 43 games. But on January 12 the Jazz traded Robinson to thePhoenix Suns for two players and two first-round draft picks. The Suns boasted a deeper roster than the Jazz, and over the season's final 26 games Robinson averaged just 16.0 points in 29.1 minutes per game. Phoenix won 50 games that year and advanced to the Western Conference Finals before losing toSeattle in seven games.

Over his next three seasons with the Suns, Robinson averaged at least 17 points and 9 rebounds each year. Following the 1981–82 campaign he was traded to theNew York Knicks forMaurice Lucas. In 1982–83 Robinson suffered through the worst slump of his career, averaging just 9.5 points and 8.1 rebounds. Fans began complaining about their "truck with four flat tires" and would often chant "Dump Truck." He played another full season for New York—with similar results—before retiring in 1984–85.

In 11 NBA seasons Robinson amassed 11,988 points and 7,267 rebounds.

• List of National Basketball Association annual minutes leaders
• List of National Basketball Association annual rebounding leaders
• List of National Basketball Association single-season rebounding leaders

• Career statistics fromNBA.com  · Basketball Reference

• 1951 births
• Living people
• 20th-century African-American sportsmen
• 21st-century African-American sportsmen
• American men's basketball players
• Atlanta Hawks players
• Basketball players from Jacksonville, Florida
• NBA All-Stars
• New Orleans Jazz players
• New York Knicks players
• Phoenix Suns players
• Power forwards
• Sacramento Kings assistant coaches
• San Antonio Spurs draft picks
• Tennessee State Tigers basketball players
• Washington Bullets draft picks
• Washington Bullets players
• 21st-century American sportsmen
• 20th-century American sportsmen

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