The New York Knicks have been a hot topic for the last ten days, amidst their first skid in months. Losers of five of their last seven contests, all the good vibes from the nine-game winning streak that preceded have evaporated. Rumors of in-house strife have been circling, but New York’s problems all stem from on-court issues. Some are fixable, while others might be their reality, but one thing is certain. The Knicks desperately need Mitchell Robinson to help their ailing defense, or they can kiss their title hopes goodbye.
Knicks Badly Need Mitchell Robinson To Fix Struggling Defense
From a regular season standpoint, Robinson’s return from injury will be welcome for several reasons. Most importantly, he provides one more healthy rotation player to alleviate depth concerns and give the starters more rest. However, the Knicks will win more than enough games as currently constructed to lock down a top four seed.
What’s more important is Robinson’s effect on New York’s championship hopes. As we’ve seen over this rough patch and throughout the season, when this group has to guard an elite offense, they simply cannot do it. Tom Thibodeau’s group is 0-4 against the presumed top three title contenders: Oklahoma City, Cleveland, and Boston. Disappointing offensive showings have contributed to the struggles, but New York lost these games because their defense folded in stunning fashion.
While it is jarring to see a Thibs defense get picked apart so easily, it makes complete sense considering their personnel. Even though New York has Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart as defensive stalwarts (who have each underperformed defensively at times), Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are simply too easy of targets for offenses to attack.
Brunson and Towns are Too Exploitable for Opponents
In last night’s loss to the pesky Pistons, the game ended on two Malik Beasley dagger threes, on sequences that exemplified the Knicks’ issues. Both plays were the same: Cade Cunningham got a switch onto Brunson on the right wing, requiring Bridges to double-team and leave the screener, Tim Hardaway Jr., wide open at the top. Hardaway swung the ball past a scrambling Knicks defense, and Beasley laced two straight left wing threes.
MALIK BEASLEY ICES IT FOR DETROIT
Back-to-back 3s in the final minute…
Pistons have won 10 of their last 12
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The Knicks fumbled away a game in which they shot 51% from the field, 42% from three, and 24-29 from the line. These issues will only get worse against the truly special offenses with few weaknesses, such as Boston and Cleveland. Brunson and Towns are always going to play crunch time minutes, which is concerning for a team who needs significant improvement on that end.
Robinson Should Fix Several Issues for NYK
If Robinson can return from his ankle injury and remain healthy, he solves many of New York’s shortcomings. He gives Thibodeau a seventh player that he completely trusts after the starters and Deuce McBride. With Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, Precious Achiuwa, and any trade acquisitions, suddenly depth is no longer an issue.
On the court, the longest-tenured Knick will vastly improve New York’s defense. Towns has been fairly criticized for his defense for two reasons: weak rim protection and slow feet on the perimeter. Trading for the Kentucky product was still the right move, but defense is simply not his strong suit. Giving Thibodeau 20-plus minutes a night with Robinson at the rim will work wonders, as he is one of the NBA’s best at deterring drivers at the cup.
Robinson is also much more versatile defensively than Towns. He gives the team a fighting chance in pick-and-rolls involving Brunson because he can slide his feet and hang on the perimeter with shiftier guards. His length allows him to contest more shots even when out of position, whereas Towns is easily attacked out there. Lastly, Robinson brings New York closer to their hard-nosed, gritty play-style of the past five seasons under Thibs. The loss of their identity was one of the casualties of all the roster turnover, but Robinson’s presence is a step towards regaining it.
The unfortunate reality is that New York’s starting/closing five is going to be flawed. Luckily, every team has flaws. The Knicks need Mitchell Robinson to help cover theirs.
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