Mitchell Robinson will be quickly adding to his repertoire after only one season in the NBA. The New York Knicks center made a splash last season as one of the best shot-blockers in the league, thanks to his athleticism and impeccable timing — yet the 7-foot-1 center has been in the lab working on his jumper, determined to shoot 3-pointers this upcoming 2019-20 season.
“Why work on something you're not going to use? I'm looking forward to it,” the second-year center told SNY's Ian Begley after the first practice of Knicks training camp.
“I'm shooting the thing now,” he said on Tuesday.
His newfound acumen is far from the only thing exciting head coach David Fizdale, who has also seen the 2018 second-round pick improve on his defensive discipline and avoiding foul situations — something that was an issue during his rookie year.
“He's more disciplined,” Fizdale said Tuesday. “Multiple times, guys tried to get him up in the air and he did a great job of staying down on shot fakes and keeping his hands out… He's really coming into his own and understanding how he can be effective in the league. Because this is now his second lap and I think he's more comfortable with what he's facing.
“His strength and his post defense is much better,” Fizdale added. “Early on last year the bigger guys would give him problems because they would back him down. But he's a lot tougher to back down now.”
Robinson could easily lead the league in blocks this season if he's given more than the 20 minutes per game he received last season, and if he can cash in on some threes, the Knicks will have found yet another diamond in the rough.
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