The Celtics’ Paul Pierce believes that Nate Robinson needed to get out of the losing climate of the Knicks to salvage his career and grow as a person and player.
The 5-foot-7½ Robinson also might grow a championship ring on his finger — the final indignity to the Knicks’ season.
In taking a shot at the Knicks’ culture, Pierce said Robinson’s career needed a change after 4½ seasons at the Garden. Robinson had a small but key role in the Celtics’ series-tying 103-94 victory over the Lakers on Sunday.
Robinson charged up the tired Celts in playing the first 6:02 of the fourth quarter, scoring seven points (2-of-2 from the field, 2-of-2 from the line).
At a crucial moment, he spelled the exhausted Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen.
The next three games are in Boston, beginning with tonight’s Game 3.
“As a group, it’s helping him a lot,” Pierce told The Post.
“Seeing our habits on and off the court, he’s understanding it’s the better routine. When you get around a certain team and there’s no discipline, you tend to go off on your own and do whatever you want. It’s a lot different here. We’re a championship team on and off the court. He’s seeing it and learning from it.”
Robinson signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Knicks days before training camp, but he and coach Mike D’Antoni staged an infamous in-season war in which Robinson was benched 14 straight games.
Finally, at the trading deadline, the Knicks and Robinson mutually agreed to a divorce, with Robinson traded to Boston.
Though he’s played a smaller role than expected with the Celtics and has seven DNPs in 19 playoff games, he still has had an impact, and his role may grow after playing key fourth-quarter minutes in both Finals.
“It’s a roller coaster, man,” Robinson said. “You got ups and downs where you say whoa. At the end, you get off the roller coaster, you say it was the best ride I’ve ever been on.
“We’re in the Finals. I’m happy. Boston is a wonderful place. I’m just here trying to win a championship.
“What don’t kill you makes you stronger,” Robinson added. “I get stronger as I move along.”
The Knicks refused to make a long-term commitment to Robinson in their blueprint of signing major free agents this summer. Robinson has told confidants he thinks the Knicks’ bid for James will come up short and wishes they had viewed him as a long- term piece.
Asked about the Knicks’ chances of landing LeBron this summer, Robinson said, “I don’t know who they’ll get. We got to wait to the summer and find out.”
Robinson also is a free agent and would like to re-sign in Boston. His Finals play could be a determinant, but he’s got a national stage now.
To date, Doc Rivers has only trusted Robinson for spot duty, but the Celtics coach gave Robinson high praise after Game 2’s victory, calling him “huge.”
Said Robinson, “You got to be ready. He [Rivers] told me he was going to put me in. I just didn’t know when. Everyone has to know their role. Mine is bringing energy.”