Daily Knicks
Fansided

Mitchell Robinson sets modest free throw goal for new Knicks season

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks walks off the court after the loss to the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2023 in New York City. The Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 108-104. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks walks off the court after the loss to the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2023 in New York City. The Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 108-104. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Mitchell Robinson is good at many things, like protecting the paint for the New York Knicks and playing Fortnite. He doesn’t have a three-point shot, but that’s a weakness he avoids by not attempting any shots from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, one shot he can’t avoid is his free throw shot.

The sixth-year center is a career 52.9% shooter from the charity stripe. Last season, he shot 48.4% from the line, the second-worst in the league behind Steven Adams (36.4%). In the Knicks’ first three games of the season, Robinson shot 3-of-6 from the line.

His free throw shooting is something he’s working to improve, and last week, the big man said he shoots 50 free throws after every practice.

Robinson’s working on a new release too, because, as The Athletic’s Fred Katz so eloquently put it (subscription required), “his launch angle looks more like one of those Giancarlo Stanton homers that leave the park.”

Mitchell Robinson wants to have higher free throw percentage than last season

Mitchell Robinson isn’t looking to set a goal of 55% for the season, a little less than a seven percent raise from 2022-23. Instead, he wants to have a higher percentage than last year.

Besides shooting 50 free throws after practice, Robinson’s getting an assist from New York’s technology. Fred Katz wrote:

"The Knicks are using technology to help. They have cameras that track players’ launch angles on their free throws and jumpers. The goal is to get Robinson to release the ball at a 45-degree angle off the fingertips."

If you typically wince whenever Robinson is at the free throw line, maybe now you’ll be more inclined to watch to see what his release looks like.

It’s still early, but New York is 28th in the league with a free throw percentage of 66.7, with an average of 24 attempts per game. The Knicks started the season off on the wrong note with 12 missed free throws against the Celtics, and hopefully, that won’t be a theme of 2023-24.

Home/Knicks News