Thomas Robinson sees his niche as rebounder for Nets

Thomas Robinson had just finished working with two assistant coaches, putting up a variety of shots to refine his form.

Six-footers. Eight-footers. Jump hooks. Free throws.

All shots the Nets 6-10, 237-pound forward should likely get within the game's flow. But Robinson, who practiced in full Tuesday for the first time since injuring his right wrist in the Nets' preseason opener, professed he's not about to transform into an offensive threat any time soon.

"The side stuff will be cherries on the top," Robinson said. "If I hit one shot, make a one-on-one move, all that is icing on the cake for me this year. Other than that, I just want to do what I want to do best."

That's rebounding, blocking shots and creating second-chance opportunities -- three things he hopes to bring to the Nets. Originally selected fifth overall by the Kings in 2012, Robinson is still trying to establish himself in the league and prove his worth.

He's played for five teams in three seasons, averaging 5.1 points and 4.8 rebounds, and has been traded three times.

But he's locked in on preparing to have a big season, hoping to silence the doubters.

"That is my only focus outside of trying to win this year, and get to the playoffs and try to make a run," Robinson said. "But individually, yeah. Honestly, I really don't care what people think, man. But just for my own personal sake and my family, I just want to get back to where I belong."

A chiseled physical specimen, Robinson brings a dimension to the Nets that Thaddeus Young can appreciate. Young said all successful teams have someone with Robinson's selfless attitude, relentless approach and energy.

"I think that's the biggest part about his game," Young said. "He's very high intensity. Sometimes we have to shut him down a little bit, but he's been a good piece. This summer, it was very valuable that we got a guy like him. He reminds you of a guy like a Reggie Evans. Very high intensity, going to get you a million rebounds if he could, and we need that type of guys on the team that can go out there, and be able to step in and get us extra possessions when we need them."

The Nets thought they were bringing Robinson on board in February when he was released by the Nuggets. Robinson already had agreed to sign with the Nets once he cleared waivers, but the 76ers swooped in and claimed him.

"I enjoyed coaching him. He was good for us," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said last week. "Brooklyn had always had an interest him and he had an interest in Brooklyn. We just plucked him just sort of right at the last minute and no hard feelings."

Not now anyway, given Robinson is right where he wanted to be since signing with the Nets in July. He's intent on carving out his role on the front line and is supremely confident it will happen.

"Don't nobody do what I do," Robinson said. "Brook [Lopez] is a scorer. Bojan [Bogdanovic] is a shooter. Thad is finesse and I do what I do. Nobody does what I do."