Glenn

Robinson

Robinson is dealing with soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow.

If Robinson can’t play, Ira Newble will get another start.

Ira Newble could get another start in Robinson’s place.

Meanwhile, the Sixers try to find a team that will be willing to use The Big Dog as a starter. It’s going to be a tough sell.

“We have talked to a lot of teams about him,” King said. If Robinson isn’t traded by the time his stint on the IL is up, King said that bridge would be crossed when they got there.

Serious family matter, eh? If Robinson were easy to trade, a deal would have happened months ago. He’s only going to be dealt for another bad contract.

O’Brien is taking the high road, acknowledging that “Robinson has two bad ankles. His doctor and our doctor both say the same thing. He is at the point where he has told our medical people he is in pain, even to walk on a treadmill.” But Smith says that’s not the story he gets, and that the Big Dog’s ankles have only hurt him since Andre Iguodala wrested his job from him.

Just two weeks ago, coach Jim O’Brien wondered if Robinson would play this season. “If he comes out and practices like today, I would say my assessment would be different based on what I saw than the information I had at hand two weeks ago,” O’Brien said. Robinson declined to talk to reporters, but he let Kenny Thomas know that he wants to return. Pick him up at your own risk.

Robinson’s expiring contract is paying him $12 million this season, in which he hasn’t played a single minute. A team that wants to cut its payroll to get under the salary cap after the season might find him attractive this week.

Robinson is suffering from painful arthritic ankles. He also is permitted from time to time to return to his Chicago home and deal with a personal family matter.