Mike Budenholzer praises Mitchell Robinson for dominant rebounding performance
In the New York Knicks’ first meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 28, starting center Mitchell Robinson played in only 20 minutes after getting in foul trouble. The Knicks lost by double-digits, 119-108, and got crushed on the glass, but in their matchup a month later, the game came down to the wire.
With Robinson back to his usual self after recovering from a knee sprain that he suffered in early November, the 24-year-old had a career night against the second-best team in the East. In 33 minutes, Mitch recorded 15 points (7-of-9) and 20 rebounds (including a career-high 11 offensive boards), narrowly missing his career-high of 21 rebounds.
The game was tied before Grayson Allen knocked down a three-pointer with 30 seconds left to play, but because of Robinson’s efforts on the glass, New York came close to ruining Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 37-point night.
After the game, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer gave Mitch a shoutout in his postgame press conference.
Mike Budenholzer credits Mitchell Robinson for a “relentless” effort rebounding tonight. Said it was one of the better individual performances he’s seen in terms of offensive rebounding. Robinson had 20 rebounds, including 12 offensive boards.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) December 1, 2022
Mike Budenholzer praises Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson for his ‘relentless’ rebounding effort
Tom Thibodeau has called Mitchell Robinson the best offensive rebounder in the game, and now, Mike Budenholzer said that the center’s effort on the glass is one of the “better” individual performances that he has seen.
Robinson’s four-year, $60 million contract that he signed in free agency to return to the Knicks is starting to make more sense, isn’t it? Because he was caught up in foul trouble at the beginning of the season and then got injured, some fans were calling for Isaiah Hartenstein to replace Mitch in the starting lineup. However, the career night that Robinson had against the Bucks is proof of why the front office prioritized keeping him in New York.
Not only did he make an impact on the glass, but Robinson did well at executing screens, which is something that he’s struggled to do throughout his five-year career. He may not be able to knock down threes like other centers in today’s NBA, but his performance against one of the top teams in the league and one of the best players in the history of the game was exceptional.
Hopefully, Mitchell Robinson can stay healthy so that Knicks fans can continue to watch the big man excel like he did on Wednesday.
