Getty Images
Mitchell Robinson has a thankless job. As a Tom Thibodeau heart, he’s tasked with anchoring New York’s protection whereas not often collaborating in a Knicks offense that’s instantly among the many greatest within the NBA. His minutes can range wildly from game-to-game, as in March alone, he has performed as many as 44 and as few as 21 minutes in numerous video games. That 21-minute determine got here Tuesday in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers, and afterward he shared his frustration along with his function on Snapchat.
“Tired asf of simply being on the market for cardio fam,” Robinson mentioned on his Snapchat story after the sport. “Like I wish to play basketball to actually simply losing my time and power.”
Whether Robinson really deserves a much bigger function on offense is debatable, however the numbers make it clear how not often the Knicks get him the ball.
Robinson touches the ball 26.4 occasions per sport, which ranks ninth on the Knicks regardless of him being a full-time starter. Over 41% of the 4.8 pictures Robinson takes per sport come on put-back alternatives, and 53.4% of his shot makes an attempt have been dunks. He is one in all solely two gamers within the NBA taking part in not less than 25 minutes per sport to have a utilization charge beneath 10%, and the opposite is P.J. Tucker.
In different phrases, the Knicks run nearly nothing for Robinson. They count on him to display screen, rebound, move and dunk offensively. That’s about it, as the majority of his function for them depends on defensive excellence. He is getting paid handsomely for that function, because the Knicks signed him to a $60 million contract final offseason, however huge males are not often glad with such restricted jobs it doesn’t matter what they’re making. In the previous, groups would ceaselessly run a token play or two in the beginning of video games for his or her huge males simply to maintain them concerned and engaged on the opposite finish of the ground, however that observe is not as widespread anymore.
Robinson tweeted after the Snapchat incident, saying “Life’s a climb however the views nice. Goodnight!” The 41-30 Knicks are at the moment in fifth place within the Eastern Conference standings and are in line to achieve the postseason for simply the second time in Robinson’s profession. His protection and rebounding has been an enormous a part of their success, but it surely appears as if he’d just like the Knicks to point out him some appreciation by really giving him the basketball a bit extra.
