Nate Robinson's first week in Israel was outstanding. After floating rumors of training for the NFL, the 31-year-old, who played 10 seasons (and two games this year) in the NBA, signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C. of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.
Robinson was subsequently mobbed by fans at the airport in Tel Aviv Thursday:
The eagle has landed @nate_robinson pic.twitter.com/oj729hnH7p
— Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelUTA) March 17, 2016
He also said the NFL will come after Israel:
Robinson scored 25 points in his Hapoel Tel Aviv debut Sunday, a 103-94 win over Maccabi Rishon Lezion. He also hit this shot:
.@nate_robinson off to a @stephencurry30 start in Israel. https://t.co/sXWH90oXLG
— ThePostGame.com (@ThePostGame) March 21, 2016
Then things got weird on Tuesday. Robinson was being interviewed by Israel's Sport 5 TV channel when a shirtless (and muscular) Israeli man interrupted the broadcast to challenge Robinson to a game of one-on-one. He insists he beat current Memphis Grizzly and former Maccabi Tel Aviv guard Jordan Farmar, to which Nate says, "That's Farmar, that's not me."
בזמן הראיון שלנו עם נייט רובינסון קרה לו הדבר הבא....האייטם המלא היום בחמישיות, 23:40 ב-(ערוץ 56) 5PLUS ו-5SPORT HDNate Robinson Hapoel Tel Aviv BC
Posted by ערוץ הספורט on Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Robinson does a good job taking the distraction in stride and indulging the man, who, as it turns out, played Second League basketball and makes it a hobby of challenging basketball players to one-on-one.
As Cohen walks away, he yells, "I'll kick your ass, Nate, and flexes."
Robinson ends the interview saying, "I'll bust his ass."
According to Real GM, Robinson will earn between $50,000 and 60,000 for his two months overseas.
