Mitchell Robinson giving the Knicks their money's worth
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson and Wizards forward Taj Gibson wait for a rebound during the second half of a preseason game Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Credit: AP/Julia Nikhinson
As free agency began during the summer, Mitchell Robinson was on the market, unrestricted and available to any team. But as the chase for talent began, there was little push from other teams to obtain Robinson. Even the Knicks had voices in the front office cautiously approaching the idea of paying him as the starter.
But the Knicks signed Robinson to a four-year, $60 million extension, and through the preseason, he has appeared to perhaps be the bargain — and underrated move — of the summer.
Robinson finished the preseason with 20 points, 12 rebounds (nine offensive) and two blocked shots on Friday against the Wizards. The game served as an exclamation point after coach Tom Thibodeau raised his profile by calling him the best offensive rebounder in the NBA.
So while newcomer Jalen Brunson has been the focus of attention, the fit of RJ Barrett and Julius Randle has been a positive and there is a watch on Evan Fournier’s starting job, it is Robinson who has quietly solidified the starting five.
“I think all aspects of his game, he’s put a lot of work in,” Thibodeau said. “He’s gotten better. The rebounding, the shot-blocking, he’s getting more comfortable with the ball. The finishing. The pressure on the rim. That set the tone from the start.
“I think you’re seeing the impact too that Jalen has had on our team. Particularly the starters, those guys are playing really well together. Very unselfish. All of them. Julius getting the ball up the floor fast, making plays, moving without the ball, creating movement, getting downhill. RJ doing a lot — whether it’s attacking downhill, getting the ball up the floor fast. I thought Evan gave us good minutes. Those guys are searching Mitch out, too. The way they’re playing together has been really good.”
The Knicks were a plus-64 with Robinson on the floor in the four preseason games. Just being on the floor and healthy for four games was notable after he spent the early part of last season trying to regain conditioning after foot surgery. But with the new contract, Robinson has been comfortable.
“For me, it’s kind of the way I grew up,” he said. “So it’s kind of like, it’s big but also there’s more out there. You know what I mean? So I’m going to continue to work because basketball is not forever. I want to play and enjoy it as much as I can. I’m 7-foot. Not a lot of 7-footers are going to last that long. Something goes out: knees, back, anything. So I’m going to continue to work and stay in this league as long as I can. I love it.”
Fitting in with Brunson is a big part of how long he’ll be around New York. “One thing about Mitch, he’s really special to work with,” Brunson said. “He works hard. He’s a great guy off the court. We got to build a lot of chemistry over the past couple of weeks. I think how we’ve built the chemistry off the court, on the court we’re really in sync.So I look forward to kind of staying in that sync with him. He’s special. I just really enjoy his presence off the court, on the court obviously.
“He’s a funny dude, man. He is hilarious. I don’t know if he tries to be funny, but he’s hilarious. I can’t even explain it. Dude is funny.”
Notes & quotes: Obi Toppin was held out of practice after suffering an ankle injury in the preseason finale. Thibodeau said he expects Toppin to be ready for Wednesday’s season opener in Memphis.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
