That is the second Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks have been ready for.
The second Mitchell Robinson’s physique is prepared for a heavier workload — and with it, the long-anticipated probability to check a lineup constructed for playoff wars.
For months, Thibodeau envisioned this: Robinson and Karl-Anthony Cities, a seven-foot defensive power paired with an elite scoring huge, forming a one-two punch within the Knicks’ frontcourt. A mixture able to addressing one in all New York’s largest wants: dimension, physicality, and rim deterrence.
After a 24-minute run in New York’s 125-103 beatdown of the Miami Warmth on Monday, it’s clear Robinson is rounding into form. And with that, the Cities-Robinson pairing — a duo designed to duplicate Minnesota’s success with Cities and Rudy Gobert — is lastly a actuality.
“It’s a huge impact defensively because when you have two seven-footers out there, if you get by one, you’ve got another one waiting at the rim,” Thibodeau mentioned.
“His presence alone adds a lot to our defense, adds a lot to our team,” Cities added after their nine-minute fourth-quarter stint collectively. “It gives us a chance to get real versatile with our lineups… I thought we got some time with me and him at the four-five, and it caused a lot of problems. So we’ve got to see how we can build on that.”
***
This isn’t the identical undersized Knicks crew that was as soon as susceptible to physicality. This group has bulked up.
And Miami felt it.
Bam Adebayo tried a dribble-drive previous Robinson — solely to get caught below the basket.
He kicked it to Duncan Robinson within the nook — however New York’s defensive anchor was already there, closing out.
With Cities boxing out two Warmth gamers, Cameron Payne got here up with the board, pushed the tempo, and located OG Anunoby for a straightforward layup in transition.
Subsequent journey down? Davion Mitchell beat Landry Shamet off the dribble — however Robinson lurking within the paint erased any considered a layup. Amid the hesitation, Mitchell fumbled the ball out of bounds. Turnover. Knicks ball.
“[Mitch is] such a huge factor, and particularly when you have him and KAT out there together. They’re two seven-footers, and OG’s on the front line with them also, you’re just so long,” Thibodeau mentioned. “The basket is protected, but I think the rim protection, his ability to get out on the perimeter, defend pick and rolls, make a second and third efforts to be up on the pick and roll and get back and rebound and change shots.”
Then there’s the offensive glass.
A Payne floater arced too excessive, however Robinson, as all the time, was there — cleansing up the mess with a two-handed putback dunk.
Because of this you don’t commerce Robinson on the deadline.
Not for pennies on the greenback. Not when his ability set is irreplaceable for his contract.
Since you don’t should be a basketball genius to know the match.
Robinson is the right defensive stability to Cities’ offensive firepower. He’s the Gobert to Cities’ Minnesota blueprint — solely in New York, surrounded by elite two-way wings in Mikal Bridges and Anunoby.
Since Robinson’s return, the Knicks have catapulted from bottom-10 in defensive effectivity to second-best within the league.
They’ve gone from worst in opponent three-point effectivity to the most effective three-point protection in basketball, permitting the fewest three-pointers made and proudly owning the second-best three-point defensive effectivity behind solely the Chicago Bulls since his return.
The Knicks rank second in turnovers compelled per sport and fifth in factors scored off turnovers. Plus they’ve improved from their standing as bottom-10 in factors allowed within the paint and are trending towards center of the highway within the division.
Miles McBride’s insertion into the beginning lineup for the injured Jalen Brunson (sprained proper ankle) has additionally reworked New York’s perimeter protection, however there’s a distinct calm when Robinson is within the paint.
Perimeter defenders can take extra dangers, press more durable, play extra aggressively — as a result of they know “a seven-foot-demon” is behind them.
***
Right here’s the scary half: Robinson isn’t even at full power but.
After near a yr away from the sport recovering from left ankle surgical procedure, the one strategy to get in sport form is to play in NBA video games.
There’s no quantity of wind sprints that may replicate closing out, rotating, contesting, battling for boards, and defending the rim for lengthy stretches at a time.
That’s why Monday’s 24-minute run towards the Warmth was so encouraging.
It marked his heaviest workload since his return and his first sport logging double-digit factors of the season.
“We’re seeing more and more multiple-effort plays from him,” Thibodeau mentioned. “I think his timing is coming around. So he’s moving great and he feels great.”
“I feel good,” Robinson added. “Finally getting a rhythm back a little bit. That’s good. So basically — keep going.”
The early returns are promising albeit a small pattern dimension: The Knicks are outscoring opponents at a price of 45.9 factors per 100 possessions within the 19 minutes over 4 video games Cities and Robinson have shared the ground collectively.
And with Robinson’s minutes ramping up, the Knicks are solely scratching the floor of their defensive potential.
The message is obvious:
If this seven-foot two-way machine retains rolling, the Cities-Robinson duo isn’t only a luxurious — it’s the muse of a Knicks protection constructed for a deep playoff run.
“Yeah learning positioning and stuff like that and the plays so we know what to do,” Robinson mentioned.
And it’s solely getting began. The Knicks have had a secret weapon of their pocket since coaching camp. Now, they’re lastly getting to make use of it.
“It’s just something we’ve gotta build,” Robinson mentioned. “I missed 10 months so coming back this is Game 7. So we’ve just gotta build trust.”
