Very few Knicks fans expected a start as promising as the one Mitchell Robinson is starring in after suffering serious injuries (broken wrist and ankle) that took him almost a year off the track.
The 23-year-old pivot has started the new one as a starter almost by obligation. In the absence of his partner Nerlens Noel has taken his witness and is not out of tune much less despite his lack of minutes.
In the four games he has played, he has averaged 8.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks with an outstanding 83.3% in field goals.
Mitch is being life insurance under the boards, and is emerging as one of the best offensive rebounders in the entire NBA with 4 sacks per game, which translates into numerous second chances for his teammates.
In addition, he is the second best defender for the Knicks, behind only Julius Randle. With Randle they concede an average of 99 points per game; and with Mitch they are placed with 102 points.
His height (2.13 meters), his long arms and his renewed physique seem fundamental on Tom Thibodeau’s board, and as the coach recently recognized: “We are only at the tip of the iceberg.”
Whether it’s because of his physical problems or Noel’s blowout, his future with the Knicks remains up in the air and he’s in the final year of his contract valued at just over $ 1.8 million. Prepare the checkbook, Mr. Leon Rose, because we could be in front of the future defensive anchor of the Knicks.
(Cover photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
