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Grading key Knicks players after start to 2022-23 season

By Desmond Novack

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 16: Julius Randle #30 and Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks react in the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on November 16, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 16: Julius Randle #30 and Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks react in the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on November 16, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Mitchell Robinson
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks. (Photo by David Richard/USA TODAY Sports) /

Mitchell Robinson: C+

It is hard to judge how well Robinson has been this season due to the knee injury he suffered against the Sixers. However, before his injury, Robinson was providing some solid play at the center position.

In the eight games Robinson played before getting injured, he averaged 7.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, shooting 69.7% from the field. Not much is to be expected out of Robinson offensively, but he was playing some very good defense.

The reason Robinson’s grade is so low is simply due to a lack of availability. I’m not blaming Robinson for his injury of course, but it is hard to give a player a high grade when they have only appeared in 10 of the possible 18 games. In addition to this, those 10 games might as well be eight, as in the two games Robinson has appeared in since his injury, he has been on a minutes restriction.

I think it is pretty safe to say that Robinson’s ceiling in this league is just a very good role player that provides great defense. Let’s be real, he is never going to develop a consistent jump shot, as awesome as that would be.

Hopefully, Robinson can remain healthy as the season goes on, as we all know how important he can be to the Knicks’ defense when on the floor.

Isaiah Hartenstein: B

I was very excited when Isaiah Hartenstein signed with the Knicks, as I saw how good of a player he was despite limited minutes. So far, he has been worth every penny.

Hartenstein has been a very solid player on both sides of the ball, something the team needed desperately as while Nerlens Noel was a very solid defender, he didn’t always get the job done on that end and had limitations offensively.

Through 18 games, Hartenstein is averaging 6.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 52.6% from the field. Hartenstein has played a massive role for the Knicks due to Robinson’s injury and he has done quite well.

A very underrated piece of Hartenstein’s game this season, and really throughout his entire career, is his playmaking. While he is only averaging 0.8 assists per game this season, he has made some very nice passes.

There is a certain versatility on both sides of the ball that Hartenstein brings to the table that is very valuable for a bench center. Not only does Hartenstein have a relatively reliable post game, but he has also shown an ability to guard more than just the paint, which is something that Noel failed to do during his time on the Knicks.

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