Jordan J Wilson

Indianapolis Star

INDIANAPOLIS — Nearly everyone under the Indiana Pacers umbrella seems to want Glenn Robinson III to succeed in his latest return to the starting line # lineup # with Monta Ellis out with an injury.

You can feel it whenever Robinson influences in the game on either end of the court, whether it’s his teammates on the bench jumping to their feet, pumping their fists, or the fans filling Bankers Life Fieldhouse with resonant cheers as his name booms over the loudspeakers.

The biggest thing Pacers coach Nate McMillan told Robinson he wants him to do during this time? “Have fun.”

“You always root for the guy that you know deserves a chance to play because he’s worked so hard,” said C.J. Miles, who has been in Robinson’s spot himself this season. “You always root for a guy that you want to give that extra confidence to be himself, to really get out there and not think timid. Like, ‘Remember, you’re out here because you deserve to be, not because he’s hurt.’ ”

With Ellis out with a groin injury, the third-year wing will remain in the shooting guard spot for at least the upcoming three-game road trip — Wednesday ## today ## through Saturday at Miami, New Orleans and Detroit. But depending upon his performances, Robinson could have a shot at keeping his starting role even after Ellis recovers.

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“That’s my goal,” Robinson said after Monday night’s 110-94 win over the Charlotte Hornets. “You never wish (injuries) on anyone. At the same time, I’m taking advantage of this opportunity I have and definitely want to be a starter in this league. Something I really think I can help this team out with (is) bringing energy, being ready to play every night, (being) a young guy.”

The Pacers (13-12) don’t need Robinson to develop into a big-time scoring presence on the court with Paul George, Jeff Teague, Thaddeus Young and Myles Turner around him — they need him to be Glenn Robinson III.

Robinson is capable of knocking down open shots when the opportunity is right, as on Monday when he drained a smooth 3-pointer after George bounced a no-look pass out to him on the corner in the first quarter. And George said himself, he thinks Robinson “can shoot the ball just as good as anybody on this team.”

But Robinson’s biggest contributions come in giving the defense a bigger look, being the fifth scoring option rather than regular scorer and focusing on crashing the boards and bringing high energy on the defensive end.

“Defensively is where we really want him to help us, and I thought he did that with his length,” McMillan said. “Offensively, we want him to allow the game to come to him and I thought he did that, spreading the floor and taking good shots.”

While Robinson was quiet statistically in his return to the starting lineup, he did everything he needed to do to keep the Pacers rolling against the Hornets. He scored three points on two shots but grabbed six rebounds, four crucial ones in the game’s final quarter, and blocked three shots.

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Robinson said he emulates the defense of George — a “big brother” of sorts — and likes serving as a complement to the three-time NBA All-Star, the two similar enough to one another to wreak havoc on opposing shooters.

“The best thing about it is he just gets to play and hopefully coach gives him that freedom to just go out there and play,” George said. “We have a weapon that is a hidden talent right now.”

The longer Robinson stays in his starting spot, the less “hidden” his talent will be. And that’s probably a good thing for the Pacers, who looked more efficient and energetic in their last three halves of basketball with Robinson in place of Ellis.

The next three games, starting Wednesday night ## tonight ## against the Miami Heat (8-17), should reveal just how successful Robinson can be for the Pacers. in the immediate and long-term future.

“This is the biggest role I’ve had,” Robinson said. “To be in the NBA, a dream of mine since I was young, and coming in and now having the chance to compete with these guys, the chance to start for the Indiana Pacers and help this team win, I think I’m a big part of that.

"It’s everything I ever wanted." , I just want to continue to work hard and continue to help this team out.”

Follow IndyStar reporter Jordan J. Wilson on Twitter: @Wilsonable07. Email him atjordan.wilson@indystar.com.

Insider: Glenn Robinson III continues to impress filling in for injured Pacers