New York Knicks’ star on the rise Mitchell Robinson

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has the highest field goal percentage in the league at 70.9, yet he’s not the starter.

New York Knicks’ center Mitchell Robinson, has the highest field goal percentage in the league at 70.9 but he doesn’t start for the team and unfortunately, there’s a good reason. Robinson is currently averaging 3.5 fouls per game.

In less than four minutes in Tuesday’s game against the Lakers, Mitch had two personal fouls.

He’s one of the brightest stars in the Knicks’ arsenal, yet he has a foul problem. But when he’s not in foul trouble opponents need to watch out.

Robinson dominated Blazers’ starting center Hassan Whiteside in the Knicks rout of the team on New Year’s Day. In 27 minutes he had 22 points on a franchise tying record perfect 11 of 11 from the field, 8 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal. The very best part of Robinson’s performance: he had only one personal foul.

After the game, Carmelo Anthony had this to say to reporters about Mitch:

"I don’t really think [Robinson] understands how good he is, or how good he can be, his ceiling. The way he plays is perfect for what the Knicks do."

Most of his teammates, old and new have similar opinions. Teammate Frank Ntilikina who was Mitch’s partner contributing perfectly executed lobs during that Blazer game told reporters:

"He makes the job really easy for us by running the floor, setting screens and making the right read at the right moment."

Mitchell said it was Marcus Morris, Sr. who got to him with some trash talk during the shootaround on Tuesday so that he was “mad” and he was ready to dominate the Blazers. Morris, speaking with reporters said:

"We kicked their ass [Tuesday]. I told him during the game he’s becoming a helluva player in this league. A month ago he was a different guy, He’s fouling less and dunking everything. I’m excited to be part of his career."

Robinson is as much a threat on the defensive end as a rim protector as he is on the offensive end. Last season he was second in the league with 2.4 blocked shots per game. His rim protection has made opponents very leery of going into the paint against him.

During this west coast series, he ran into a different type of opponent when he reached Los Angelos. Montrezl Harrell, Anthony Davis, and JaVale McGee are scary rim protectors also and Mitch will have to learn how to defend the rim against players like these without getting into foul trouble.

Taj Gibson is not only Robinson’s teammate he is also his mentor. He stated to the New York Post:

"This guy, a lot of players don’t have a niche. A lot of them don’t know where to start. A lot of guys just come in and think it’s all about scoring and not defense. A lot of players are lost in the sauce with that. With Mitch, he already knows what he has to do. He’s a starting center and all he had to do is grow. If he pushes himself like he’s doing, he’ll be an All-Star. He doesn’t know how good he is."

That’s a similar statement made by most who speak about Mitchell Robinson. He doesn’t know how good he is. Let’s hope the New York Knicks’ management knows and will not include him in any of their trade talks. This young man is a New York star on the rise and the New York Knicks need him.