With a new coach and a couple of new additions, Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks is aware that his job as a starter hasn't been a sure thing. As such, he's taking it day by day, hoping that his performance will be enough to lock in the starting center spot.
Robinson has started all four games for the Knicks, including their recent 95-86 win Tuesday over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It's definitely a great relief for Robinson who saw Nerlens Noel take his spot in the Knicks' four preseason games. It was an experiment by Tom Thibodeau that didn't seem to work as he expected which led to Robinson's insertion.
“I feel great,” Robinson said. “I'm just going to continue to get better every day. Hopefully, I can hang on to my spot. So, get better,” per Garrett Stepien of Yahoo Sports.
“I mean, tonight was based on team, teamwork — all the outcome that you put in,” Robinson said. “It's paying off right now, so we're going to keep moving forward.”
In Tuesday's win at Cleveland, the 22-year-old had 9 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks across 32 minutes of action. In the first four games of the season, he's averaging 8.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Robinson's mission of getting better every day seems to be a direct result of Thibs' coaching philosophy. For Thibodeau, New York's rotations aren't etched in stone. Every single player will need to earn his minutes and role throughout the season.
“We’ll continue to evaluate. It will be based on merit. And we’re always going to put the guys that give us the best chance to win out there,” said the Knicks coach last week, per Ian Begley of SNY via Yahoo Sports. “But we also know it’s a team sport. Everyone’s important and we need our whole team and as I said, we have young guys that will continue to improve. We have the right veterans around them that can help teach the young guys the tricks of the trade. So we’re counting on everyone.”
The New York Knicks will face the Toronto Raptors on Thursday.
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