New York Knicks: Next steps in Mitchell Robinson’s development
By Adam Kester
Mitchell Robinson’s development: 2) Perimeter defense
Mitchell Robinson has already built a reputation as an elite shot blocker. What Robinson does more than any other defender in the league, is block 3-point attempts.
Robinson’s length, timing, and leaping ability allows him to block shots that seemed like wide-open attempts. I think Robinson is just scratching the surface of his defensive potential.
While the number of three-point shots that Robinson has blocked in his short career has been historic, I think he has another level to him. A level where he can defend wing players 1-on-1.
A lot of Robinson’s blocked three-pointers come on help defense where he dashes across the court to chase down a wide-open shot. When guarding perimeter players 1-on-1, his numbers aren’t so good. According to NBA charting, Robinson defends 3.8 three-point attempts per game, and opponents shoot 3.7% better than their average percentage.
It may seem like a tall task for a center to become an effective perimeter defender, but they do exist. Pascal Siakam’s opponents shoot 4.1% worse on three-point attempts, and Anthony Davis’ opponents are 5.7% worse, per NBA.com/stats.
Robinson has the instincts, athleticism and the length to join these players, but he must work on the most essential component of perimeter defense: footwork. He is very jumpy, and it leads him to be burned off the dribble. With defensive coaching, Robinson can learn how to patiently mirror his defender with his feet, rather than always reaching with his long arms.
Robinson is already a tremendous shot blocker. Imagine the kind of impact he’d have if he was able to switch onto wing players and stick with them. It’s the kind of defensive potential that very few big men have.