Mitch

[irish2u2]

Things will be slow for a month or so till training camp looms but I want to at least try and keep things rolling by discussing Mitch Robinson.

I re-watched a half dozen games from this year specifically to get a read on Mitch Robinson. Personally I think Mitch could be the Knicks secret weapon. All last summer there were repeated videos of Mitch's workouts where he displayed a surprisingly nifty handle and a very good looking outside shot. The review of his games from last season showed that awesome length and athleticism, a nose for the ball and mostly a competitive nature. 

A nifty handle and a good looking outside shot. Roll that possibility around a bit. 

Yes. It. Is. True. Mitch. Robinson. Can. Shoot. Treys. And. Jumpers. 

We all think of Mitch as a guy who only converts lobs and putbacks and it's true this is his bread and butter on offense but it is my firm belief he can do more. A lot more. Now he didn't show any of these tendencies in the games I watched from last season but his length and athleticism certainly stood out. So did his toughness. Mitch was always willing to battle whether it was boxing out guys, battling for those tough contested rebounds or setting very physical screens. Mitch also has great hands something you notice Nerlens Noel does not have as much as I like Nerlens. I think having Mitchell healthy also makes Nerlens better too because both are a high energy players.

I believe the Knicks can go to the next level in the NBA with a more involved Robinson on offense. The Knicks have Randle and RJ and they added Fournier and Kemba. Even if Mitch does nothing the Knicks are dramatically improved on offense but you add Mitch Robinson putting up Clint Capela type numbers and the Knicks are more than just a playoff team. They are a contender. A serious contender. 

I understand Mitch has put on more than 20 lbs of muscle which certainly helps him battle down low. Even last year's Mitch makes a big difference in the playoffs against Atlanta because Capela was able to push Nerlens around. That won't be so easy against Robinson. Now take Mitch to the high post and have him make some midrange jumpers and things get interesting especially since Kemba is an extremely proficient screen and roll passer. 

Off the bench with Rose, IQ, Burks, Nerlens and Obi and you are talking a very deep team mores because guys like Bacon, Taj, Grimes, McBride and Sims can also play. 

If Mitch plays like last year the Knicks are still better but if Mitch can make an RJ/Randle type leap in performance the Knicks get scary. And this is a young team. 

[greatgates36]

Great points and an excellent post. I'll certainly buy a better handle and willingly slurp more strength. But I gotta see the shot. Don't care about in practice. Care about ft percentage. But you are correct that IF he can actually space the floor.then we become very special.

[daglazer]

I love Mitch's game. He is such a threat on pick and rolls and on alley opp passes that he opens the floor. Even though Noel has shown a better jump shot, teams are just not as afraid of Noel on offense. It is a big reason why Atlanta was able to double team Randle so easily. They had no fear that Noel could catch, gather and shoot quickly enough to avoid the defensive rotation. Mitch has such great hands and is such a quick leaper that to leave him alone is to invite a dunk.

Kemba is going to love playing with him.

[greatgates36]

Sept 1, 2021 15:42:52 GMT -5 daglazer said:

I love Mitch's game. He is such a threat on pick and rolls and on alley opp passes that he opens the floor. Even though Noel has shown a better jump shot, teams are just not as afraid of Noel on offense. It is a big reason why Atlanta was able to double team Randle so easily. They had no fear that Noel could catch, gather and shoot quickly enough to avoid the defensive rotation. Mitch has such great hands and is such a quick leaper that to leave him alone is to invite a dunk.

Kemba is going to love playing with him.

All certainly true. But he has to show at least a modicum of range.

[rxmeister]

I remember Mitch taking a little jab at the coaching staff on social media, kind of implying that they don’t want him taking threes and jumpers. That kind of proves Gates’ point that he may look good in these videos but when the Knicks are practicing with teammates under the coaches’ eyes, he’s not very impressive. I don’t care about his threes and jumpers, I want him closer to the basket anyway. If he can just develop a little touch around the basket, maybe even a hook shot he can take his game to the next level anyway.

[jbnewyork162]

Sept 2, 2021 12:07:55 GMT -5 rxmeister said:

I remember Mitch taking a little jab at the coaching staff on social media, kind of implying that they don’t want him taking threes and jumpers. That kind of proves Gates’ point that he may look good in these videos but when the Knicks are practicing with teammates under the coaches’ eyes, he’s not very impressive. I don’t care about his threes and jumpers, I want him closer to the basket anyway. If he can just develop a little touch around the basket, maybe even a hook shot he can take his game to the next level anyway.

I'd love the occasional Kevin Garnett long two and the occasional Dream Shake at the basket. He will get paid alot more if he gets the green light that say Noel gets to shoot the long bricks he throws up.

I just want Mitch to do it in the flow of offense and TRY IT. He's got a little handle albeit in practice summer videos but show the Garden what you got once in awhile.

[irish2u2]

Sept 2, 2021 12:07:55 GMT -5 rxmeister said:

I remember Mitch taking a little jab at the coaching staff on social media, kind of implying that they don’t want him taking threes and jumpers. That kind of proves Gates’ point that he may look good in these videos but when the Knicks are practicing with teammates under the coaches’ eyes, he’s not very impressive. I don’t care about his threes and jumpers, I want him closer to the basket anyway. If he can just develop a little touch around the basket, maybe even a hook shot he can take his game to the next level anyway.

David Lee did not have a jumpsuit coming into the NBA. He developed one and in time it turned into a very reliable and effective part of his offensive arsenal. He had to develop confidence in that shot and the Knicks coaches let him develop that confidence. 

Mitch can hit those shots and he has shown he can do so in scrimmage situations but to develop his confidence he needs the coaches to show THEIR confidence in him and that shot. Mitch has a nice looking shot. So did Frank Ntilikina. Get my point? 

BTW, why every single NBA big hasn't developed a jump hook just mystifies me. 

[rxmeister]

Precisely. Shouldn’t he be working on that instead of taking those threes? Walk before you run. And for all we know he missed 30 straight shots both before and after he posted those videos! “Cmon Mitch, hit a couple! My phone battery’s down to 1%!

[ReneNYG1]

I think you can see him go to the hole from key with a move and handle this year,I love Mitch and can see great things from him Rose was hurt when Mitch when down he knew he lost 4 assist per game feeding Mitch I expect Him to have a field day with two great points feeding him.That's why is smart to lock him up early before he gets sick numbers and price goes up.