Mitchell Robinson expresses frustration with the lack of offensive involvement on the Knicks
Mitchell Robinson is unhappy with his position on the New York Knicks, despite the team’s overall success this season.
After Tuesday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Robinson posted on Snapchat lamenting his lack of offensive involvement: I’d rather be playing basketball than doing cardio, so I’m sick of wasting my time at the gym.
Thibodeau, the team’s head coach, has no qualms about starting Robinson. Since returning from a fractured thumb injury on February 24, the 24-year-old has started 11 games and averaged 28.6 minutes per game.
Mitchell Robinson has taken six shots throughout the last two games against the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Lakers. During the Knicks’ March 3 122-120 victory over the Miami Heat, he played 33 minutes and attempted one field goal.
Mitchell Robinson is on pace to play the second-most minutes of his career this year, averaging 27.3 in 49 games (27.5 in 2020-21). Both his 2021-22 and current season averages for field goal attempts (4.8 per game) are spot-on.
Mitchell Robinson’s strength as an NBA player has always been on the defensive end. After he enters the game, the Knicks’ defense improves by six points compared to when he is not on the court (113.3 to 119.3). He pulls down more than four boards per game, both offensively and defensively.
Robinson’s 1.6 blocks per game would put him in a tie for sixth in the NBA with Joel Embiid and Kristaps Porzingis if he played enough games to be included on the leaderboard.
Robinson’s lack of playing time is unexpected, given Jalen Brunson’s absence for five of the Knicks’ last six games, but the team has no shortage of offensive threats. At 18.7 shots per game, Julius Randle is the team’s most prolific shooter.
Immanuel Quickley’s offensive role is expanding, as he has scored 20 points or more in five of the last nine contests. Since being acquired from the Trail Blazers on February 9, Josh Hart has played in 14 games and has a 58.7 field goal percentage.
The Knicks are doing well, as evidenced by their 41-30 record and fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
Thibodeau must ensure that Robinson, who signed a four-year, $60 million contract in July, is comfortable in his role as the team prepares for a possible postseason run.
Final Thoughts
NBA Updates: Mitchell Robinson is frustrated with his lack of involvement in the Knicks’ offense, despite the team’s overall success this season. However, it’s important to note that Robinson’s strengths lie on the defensive end, where he makes a significant impact when he enters the game.
While it’s understandable that he wants to contribute more offensively, it’s ultimately up to head coach Tom Thibodeau to balance the team’s offensive and defensive needs. As the Knicks prepare for a possible postseason, it will be crucial for Thibodeau to ensure that Robinson is comfortable in his role and that the team is maximizing his strengths on the court.
