Who are the New York Knicks’ biggest X-factors?
New York Knicks X-factors: Mitchell Robinson
Mitchell Robinson was who I was talking about when I mentioned the true motivation for this list.
The first time I learned who Robinson was, I saw him in a mock draft being selected by none other than the New York Knicks. However, it had New York selecting him 9th overall.
Obviously, things changed. Robinson did not go to college after a very long, complicated situation with Western Kentucky University that I still do not understand.
I watched Robinson a lot, I saw the athleticism, and otherworldly bounce for someone who moves somewhat awkwardly, plus the fact that he was shooting threes, given it seems that has gone away.
A good deal of Knicks fans would be on the idea of trading Robinson, and it is very understandable why.
Robinson has been getting hurt very often since last season, he’s going to be a free agent this summer, and the Knicks have a lot of depth when it comes to big men.
I am well against Mitch being traded, and I’ve stood this way for a while now. He is not untouchable, really if the right trade came along, I’d be fine with accepting it, but he is too valuable to the Knicks to just give up on.
Robinson seems to stay efficient even when the Knicks struggle. The Knicks always seem like a better defensive team when he’s on the court, most likely because players know not to challenge him at the rim.
Robinson also has the record for highest field goal percentage in a single season in NBA history with 74% and is currently shattering his own record with a staggering 81% from the field this year.
Robinson plays a much smarter game than he is given credit for; he does not play recklessly, is careful, smart, and knows where to be on the defensive end. He is also an elite rim protector who has shown consistent defensive improvement. Earlier this year, he dominated Joel Embiid making Embiid have a miserable night when the Knicks ransacked the 76ers, holding Embiid to 2 made field goals all night.
Without Robinson, the Knicks are worse on both ends of the floor, especially defense. He is the team’s biggest X-Factor as he affects the team’s success so heavily, even if it does not always show. If the New York Knicks want to succeed, having Robinson is a huge part of it.