Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson Draws High Praise from Coach, Compared to All-Star McDyess
Mitchell Robinson’s Potential for the Knicks
In the crowded narrative of the New York Knicks’ roster, center Mitchell Robinson often finds himself flying under the radar. However, the arrival of new head coach Mike Brown has ignited a conversation about Robinson’s potential impact this season. With a bold comparison to former NBA All-Star Antonio McDyess, Brown’s words underscore the value Robinson brings to the team.
Brown’s Bold Assessment of Robinson
Brown’s admiration for Robinson is evident. “First of all, he’s a great runner. Not a good runner, a great runner,” he said, highlighting the center’s exceptional athleticism. The coach emphasized the need for the team to maintain a consistent pace, noting that Robinson possesses a unique ability that can elevate the Knicks’ game.
“Having said that, you know Mitch is a vertical threat,” Brown continued. “He might be the best vertical threat I’ve been around. Antonio McDyess was a tremendous vertical threat. You can just close your eyes and throw it up there and he’d go get it.”
This level of praise is significant for Robinson, who often occupies a role perceived as a complementary piece rather than a focal point. Brown pointed out Robinson’s knack for catching difficult passes and finishing with authority, even when the delivery isn’t perfect. “Some of the passes — I’m like, dang, that’s a bad pass — and he just catches it even with one hand sometimes and throws it down,” Brown added, underlining the center’s game-changing abilities.
Robinson’s Eager Anticipation for the Season
While Brown has yet to coach McDyess, his longstanding experience in the league allows him to draw meaningful comparisons. For Robinson, who is typically seen as the fifth starter on the team, this recognition could be a turning point. The prospect of Robinson performing at an All-Star level could significantly enhance the Knicks’ aspirations, potentially making them a formidable force in the Eastern Conference.
Robinson himself is looking forward to the upcoming season, especially the opportunity to play alongside superstar Karl-Anthony Towns. “When you’re playing with two bigs, it’s going to be exciting to see,” he stated. “We did a little bit of it last year and we had success with it. So, we’re going to see how it goes from there.”
This partnership could allow Robinson to maximize his strengths while enabling Towns to thrive in a more traditional power forward role, where he has found considerable success throughout his career.
Aiming for Success in the Eastern Conference
Robinson’s development as a player holds the potential to reshape the Knicks’ frontcourt dynamics. If he continues to improve and assert himself as one of the top centers in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks could find themselves in contention for the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Robinson. With Brown at the helm and the support of his teammates, the stage is set for the center to showcase his abilities and help drive the Knicks toward a promising future.
