Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau praised Mitchell Robinson and his confidence, expressing optimism that a rise will come for the 22-year-old center, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes.
Robinson, who was drafted by the Knicks No. 36 overall in 2018, has started in all six of the team’s contests this season. Thibodeau was hesitant to name Robinson as a starter prior to the season, jumpstarting a competition between him and Nerlens Noel.
“Let’s talk about Mitch,” Thibodeau said. “He’s just, every day he’s growing and growing and growing. The way he’s working, studying, preparing for the games. you could see his confidence grow. He’s making multiple effort plays. He’s a hard guy to score over. And he’s really the anchor of the defense back there. And offensively there’s a lot of room for him to grow. He’s putting a lot of time in.”
As for when Robinson could take the next step in his improvement, the veteran coach gave a blunt response: “You guys haven’t seen it yet, but it’s coming.” Robinson has averaged 8.7 points and 7.8 rebounds in 27.8 minutes per game to start the season.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division tonight:
- Sixers coach Doc Rivers has inspired others while reaching a new milestone in his career, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes. Rivers, a former head coach with Orlando, is now 10th on the all-time coaching regular-season wins list, though he remains focused on his current team and not on any career achievements. “I don’t look at what I’m doing, honestly. I’d love to say — I know it means something and I know it means a lot to people, but I just I don’t know,” Rivers said. “I’ve never been able to put myself in that place where I’m thinking about what I’m doing. I think I have fooled myself that I’m really young and I have a whole career to go, and maybe that’s why I don’t, but I do feel like I’ve got a lot to do and so I don’t think about it that often.”
- Raptors star Pascal Siakam continued his struggles in the team’s 120-116 loss to New Orleans on Saturday, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star writes. Siakam finished with just 10 points on 4-for-10 shooting, fouling out in less than 25 minutes. “He struggled, no doubt about it,” coach Nick Nurse said. “I thought he had a few decent plays and a few good drives in there, but he obviously struggled. Half-count off rhythm there at both ends a little bit, which is getting him in foul trouble and not letting him be able to finish some plays at the offensive end as well.”
- Knicks guard RJ Barrett vowed to continue shooting despite being in a slump last week, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes. Barrett turned his play around on Saturday, giving New York a 25-point performance on 8-of-15 shooting. He also finished with four threes, five rebounds and three assists in 42 minutes.
“He’s just growing and growing and growing”
“When will he get better?”
“Not yet”:
Mitchell needed that tough love coach was applying during preseason starting noel instead which has motivated him,he wants to continue starting so Robinson has to produce.
So much noise for a guy averaging 9 & 8..
His career per 36 minute averages are 14 and 11 and two blocks and he’s only 22. Plus he’s a Knick, and there’s not a whole lot else good going for the Knicks.
Mitch and RJ look much better under Thibs. So do Payton and Knox. You look at Randle lols. He’s lost weight looks great. Makes me wonder if he can play the 3. RJ is a future star. If you watch him consistently and you’re a baller. You should be able to see that. Best thing I see is Thibs influence and coaching on team. So glad we signed him. This year is all about building a good young core. I think it looks gd so far. We are in the right direction. I still think a pass first PG a general. Makes this team for real. Plenty of time to get this team right. Trust in Thibs. Of course I want this team to do well. Best we can be. But next yrs draft lottery is always on my mind. Next lottery has plenty of talent, plenty.
Icy P has been awful so far. Watching him has been very frustrating
Siakam has to take over. Like become their number 1 option. PG s have to help him out. Checked out his stats thinking last yr was a down yr. Well it was his best yr. I guess he just had a bad bubble. Season still young I guess.
Boucher is playing like he got a max contract and Siakam is playing like he got the Chris Boucher contract… With Ibaka gone, the raptors need an all-star caliber wing player or legit superstar wing…. I’m all for a Derozen-Raptors reunion.
I’m not surprised at the raptors start to the season. I knew they would struggle after losing gasol,ibaka,I don’t no why vanfleet resigned I thought he would sign with the knicks due to the cap money plus draft picks and we would have built the team around him.
re-signed