Mitchell Robinson is the NBA’s top shot blocker

[mcmurphy]

Again... This is pretty extreme hyperbole. And while I understand where it comes from... I also feel obligated to call out.

Aldridge shot 7-12 (58%) from the field for 18 points in limited minutes (21). San Antonio as a whole shot 51% from the field on their non-three-point field goals.

Similarly Vucevic lit up Robinson to the tune of 26 and 11 on 63% shooting and the Magic shot 49% from the field on their non-three-point attempts.

If you go three games back Mitchell Robinson was so overwhelmed by Taj Gibson that he could barely see the court...

I understand the optimism on Robinson but much like what the New York media and fans did with Kevin Knox it seems like the cart is being put before the horse here.

Those opponents' boxscore numbers came from early scoring before Robinson even entered the game (and before the Knicks made a big second half comeback against the Magic), and against other defenders. Aldridge played low minutes because he was not affecting the game (-10). Vucevic was -11 in the fourth quarter when the Knicks held the Magic to 13 points.

The Spurs shot 44.5% overall for the game, and 25% from 3. Why take out their 3 point percentage? That's part of Robinson's impact that people are seeing (those who watch the games) -- he is not just blocking shots at the rim, he's making teams hesitate, rush, and having a rare overall defensive impact.

If you want to argue small sample size and inconsistency (bringing up the MInnesota game, which I admittedly didn't see) that's one thing, but in the last two games, Robinson's defensive impact has been profound in degree and unusual in nature.

I did a quick tally but according to my count Vucevic scored 22 of his 26 points (on 10 of 16 shooting) while Robinson was on the floor...

Will double-check and do the same for the Spurs game later, but my point about the hyperbole getting out of control still stands.

Robinson in the last 2 games has defended 21 fga per game with a Diff% respect to average defender of - 6%... In the season the C with most fga defended per game are Embiid and Gobert with 18 dfga with a Diff% of - 3%.

Robinson is real.

[Karate Diop]

On the floor? Irrelevant to my point (and Robinson was not the primary defender on Vucevic the majority of possessions). The Knicks shut down the Magic and won the game by holding them to 13 points in the fourth quarter, and Robinson's defense was the single biggest factor in making that happen.
Did you watch the game?

You are reaching. Did you watch the game or did you just only watch his scoring highlights on Youtube? Magics called many screen plays to get Robinson off of Vucevic. Vucevic scored most of his points against Ellenson, Thomas, Vonleh and the Knicks guards.

I checked the tape and Vucevic scored 16 points either directly against Robinson or due to a bad basketball play on his part. There are another 2 points I excluded where Robinson was late as a help defender.

Red = Points scored directly against Robinson.
Orange = Points scored as a result of a Robinson error.

*I am differentiating between the types of plays below for objectivity's sake.

Q1 - 5:50 - Robinson is taked with guarding Vucevic but is caught ball-watching leading to a Vucevic three-pointer.

Q2 - 3:38 - Vucevic takes Robinson off the drrible, backs him down on the block and then uses a pump fake to take advantage of Robinson's block-hunting tendencies and get an easy layup.

Q3 - 11:38 - Robinson is again caught ball-watching allowing Vucevic to slip to an open spot on the floor, Lance Thomas tries to cover for him but Vucevic gets off an easy layup (which is goaltended by Robinson out of frustration).

Q3 - 8:45 - Vucevic catches the ball behind the arc with Robinson in front of him. Vucevic takes advantage of Robinson's arms being down and drains a three in his face.

Q3 - 7:03 - Robinson is the primary defender on Vucevic but again is again caught ball-watching / block-hunting completely forgetting about Vucevic allowing him to roll to the rim off an Augustin drive for the easy dunk.

Q3 - 3:40 - Vucevic scores in isolation againt Robinson.

Q4 - 6:57 - Robinson watches the ball, Vucevic rolls to the basket gets a switch and the easy layup.

I can dig up the tape / highlights later if you want to fact check me. But Karate Diop don't lie.

30-13 in the fourth quarter to come back and win by 5. Magic couldn't score.

P.S. As a Colorblind American I find your post deeply offensive

The Magic are 25th in PPG (22nd in Points Per 100 Possessions), 23rd in ORtg and 24th in TS%... They don't score that well to begin with (and were only about 2-3 points off their overall points per game average - 105.9 vs. 103 - that night)

But I digress... I understand the point you're making and I'm happy that the Knicks finally have a prospect to support who actually has the chance to be good.

Next year will be big in determining what kind of player Robinson will become. These per-minute big man wunderkinds are not a new phenomenon when it comes to the NBA, Robinson on a better team that's actually competing for something / taken seriously by opposing teams will be interesting to watch.

[Clyde Frazier]

I see I've upset a horde of Knicks fans. Don't see why, he's clearly version 3 billion of young talented defender who bites on every move. He'll get more experienced and disciplined with time and become a much better defender. He's like a young Ibaka, blocked everything in sight then got subbed out at the end game defensive possessions for Nick Collison.

Your assessment is so off. If it were correct, we'd give you credit. You obviously do not watch him play. Once you have, your opinion would matter. He truly is a game changer and not just a jumper. Once again, watch the tape.

I've seen him a few times, he looks like a typical hyperactive rookie defensive big. He fouls out per36. He'll grow out of it and he'll also block a bunch less shots in the process.

Again… not the whole story. He’s actually blocking shots at a higher rate and fouling less since coming back from injury.

First 28 games

17.2 MPG, 1.8 BPG, 3.2 fouls per game, 8.9% BLK%

Per 36: 3.76 BPG, 6.69 fouls per game

Last 17 games

20.3 MPG, 3.1 BPG, 2.8 fouls per game, 13.3% BLK%

Per 36: 5.49 BPG, 4.96 fouls per game

Your skepticism is just a bit much. We have a special player on our hands.

[Phreak50]

Remember what happened when this board hyped Whiteside...

[Clyde Frazier]

I've seen him a few times, he looks like a typical hyperactive rookie defensive big. He fouls out per36. He'll grow out of it and he'll also block a bunch less shots in the process.

Typical hyperactive rookie who is doing things only hall of fame centers have done? He's anything but typical. He just needs to show this consistently. Knick fans are excited because he really has been a game changer, but fans have to be cautious because it's only been like this for a month.

Also the fouling issue you mentioned shows your mostly paying attention to the stats and not actually watching him. The fouling issues have been reduced dramatically. He's come a very long way in a short period of time.

I'm all for the hype as he's probably the only positive the Knicks have had this year, but calling him a "game changer" seems a bit disingenuous... If we're being 100% objective Mitchell Robinson is not changing the way any Knicks games goes. It's L-City in Manhattan regardless of what Robinson does.

You can absolutely be an impact player on a losing team. He positively impacts the scoring margin the majority of time he's on the floor. His minutes have continued to scale up and his impact has remained a constant.

The thing that's getting lost here is robinson is extremely raw and wasn't expected to contribute at all this year. He was expected to play half the year in the g league. It was all about potential with him. Instead, he's making a positive impact when he doesn't really know what he's doing out there. That makes his ceiling that much higher.

He also isn't the only positive the knicks have had this year, but this thread is about mitch so no need to discuss that.

[RHODEY]

Editing away half my posts so you don’t have to address the argument. SAD!

The half where you moved the goal posts.

Never moved any goal posts. The OP specifically talks about Mitchell as a centerpiece in an AD deal. Guys who average 18mpg and 6ppg aren’t centerpieces of anything, like I said all along.

They can be if perceived as having high value potential.

[jc23]

Id say most fans have never heard of him.

[dred926]

Why are people hatin? This dude was a 2nd round draft pick for crying out loud... He could be a whiteside for the knicks or maybe even better we cant tell but he is already more than decent.. and as early as now he is doing what mo bamba was supposed to be doing

[Nazrmohamed]

Your assessment is so off. If it were correct, we'd give you credit. You obviously do not watch him play. Once you have, your opinion would matter. He truly is a game changer and not just a jumper. Once again, watch the tape.

I've seen him a few times, he looks like a typical hyperactive rookie defensive big. He fouls out per36. He'll grow out of it and he'll also block a bunch less shots in the process.

Again… not the whole story. He’s actually blocking shots at a higher rate and fouling less since coming back from injury.

First 28 games

17.2 MPG, 1.8 BPG, 3.2 fouls per game, 8.9% BLK%

Per 36: 3.76 BPG, 6.69 fouls per game

Last 17 games

20.3 MPG, 3.1 BPG, 2.8 fouls per game, 13.3% BLK%

Per 36: 5.49 BPG, 4.96 fouls per game

Your skepticism is just a bit much. We have a special player on our hands.

I love the prospect we have on our hands but hes being pretty fair Clyde. Hes isnt a complete player. Yeah hes gotten better but for all we know it's just a defensive hot streak. Almost the entire year you couldve expected him to foul out with any significant minutes. You're right, hes doing well right now, just enjoy it and dont let criticisms get to you.

[luka27]

Remember what happened when this board hyped Whiteside...

He received almost a max contract?

[Phreak50]

Remember what happened when this board hyped Whiteside...

He received almost a max contract?

And didn’t come close to living up to it.

Stop calling players great from a bunch of games and likewise stop calling players busts in the same way.

[luka27]

Remember what happened when this board hyped Whiteside...

He received almost a max contract?

And didn’t come close to living up to it.

Stop calling players great from a bunch of games and likewise stop calling players busts in the same way.

I agree with you totally that that overreaction after few good or bad games is a stupid. It's just that Whiteside did good for more then only a few games and getting that kind of contract means the team saw potentially something special in him. It's just that it is not easy to predict what will happen with a player once he gets that kind of a contact. Not everyone has that drive to keep improving and developing.

[Capn'O]

Again... This is pretty extreme hyperbole. And while I understand where it comes from... I also feel obligated to call out.

What's Rondbae up to lately?

[Dan Z]

I can see why teams passed on him. No college (actually he backed out of college) and didn't he refuse to practice for some teams? I can't remember. Regardless he seems to be the 2nd round steal of 2018.

Almost every year there's one player in the 2nd round who stands out. In 2017 I'm not sure who is it (Thomas Bryant?), in 2016 it's Malcolm Brogdon, in 2015 it's Josh Richardson and Montrezll Harrell, in 2014 it's Nikola Jokic, etc. etc.

[Clyde Frazier]

High praise from Steve Clifford:

“To me, Robinson changed the game,” Magic coach Steve Clifford said. “It happened the first time we played them and it happened tonight. Challenging him is not a good idea. I think he had four blocks in four of five minutes, which got them back to less of a cushion.”

The biggest play from Robinson, however, might have been a one-handed swat of the ball toward the basket on which he got a follow shot to drop through. That gave the home fans something to cheer and pulled the Knicks within 98-96 with 5:40 left to play. New York outscored Orlando 12-5 the rest of the way.

“In my opinion he had the biggest play of the game, we forced the 3 over two guys … [but] nobody put a body on him and he tipped it in to get it to two,” Clifford said.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-sp-magic-knicks-0227-story.html

[Capn'O]

I love the prospect we have on our hands but hes being pretty fair Clyde. Hes isnt a complete player. Yeah hes gotten better but for all we know it's just a defensive hot streak. Almost the entire year you couldve expected him to foul out with any significant minutes. You're right, hes doing well right now, just enjoy it and dont let criticisms get to you.

What rookie, especially 19 year old rookie, ever is?

Don't lose sight of the argument here. Of players that regularly play, Mitch is the best per-minute shotblocker in the league... and it's literally not even close. He's cut down on his fouling to the point where he can play more and when he does play more he blocks more shots. Lately, he's been holding court with some of the best bigs in the league. What he's doing is super impressive. Most rookies are total bollocks on D or have no offensive impact whatsoever. Mitch has consistently impacted both ends.

In conclusion, Mitch is awesome. Haters fall back.

[Nazrmohamed]

I love the prospect we have on our hands but hes being pretty fair Clyde. Hes isnt a complete player. Yeah hes gotten better but for all we know it's just a defensive hot streak. Almost the entire year you couldve expected him to foul out with any significant minutes. You're right, hes doing well right now, just enjoy it and dont let criticisms get to you.

What rookie, especially 19 year old rookie, ever is?

Don't lose sight of the argument here. Of players that regularly play, Mitch is the best per-minute shotblocker in the league... and it's literally not even close. He's cut down on his fouling to the point where he can play more and when he does play more he blocks more shots. Lately, he's been holding court with some of the best bigs in the league. What he's doing is super impressive. Most rookies are total bollocks on D or have no offensive impact whatsoever. Mitch has consistently impacted both ends.

In conclusion, Mitch is awesome. Haters fall back.

Well that's what I'm saying but I guess you took the bolded part as me saying it's an expectation that he is. You must identify flaws to understand what you'll do over time to correct them. Time alone won't fix things. So for example

-he needs to fix his foul problem......we go out and get DJ who I believe is helping him as we speak become a little smarter in that regard......or we couldve not done so and assumed hed just figure it out on his own.

-he still gets muscled around a bit and is relying solely on athleticism.......well maybe an offseason weight program will allow him to hold position a bit better against post up bigs and not just blocks at the rim against the quicker guys. Or perhaps some skills training.

I'm simply pointing out areas of opportunity

[Capn'O]

I love the prospect we have on our hands but hes being pretty fair Clyde. Hes isnt a complete player. Yeah hes gotten better but for all we know it's just a defensive hot streak. Almost the entire year you couldve expected him to foul out with any significant minutes. You're right, hes doing well right now, just enjoy it and dont let criticisms get to you.

What rookie, especially 19 year old rookie, ever is?

Don't lose sight of the argument here. Of players that regularly play, Mitch is the best per-minute shotblocker in the league... and it's literally not even close. He's cut down on his fouling to the point where he can play more and when he does play more he blocks more shots. Lately, he's been holding court with some of the best bigs in the league. What he's doing is super impressive. Most rookies are total bollocks on D or have no offensive impact whatsoever. Mitch has consistently impacted both ends.

In conclusion, Mitch is awesome. Haters fall back.

Well that's what I'm saying but I guess you took the bolded part as me saying it's an expectation that he is. You must identify flaws to understand what you'll do over time to correct them. Time alone won't fix things. So for example

-he needs to fix his foul problem......we go out and get DJ who I believe is helping him as we speak become a little smarter in that regard......or we couldve not done so and assumed hed just figure it out on his own.

-he still gets muscled around a bit and is relying solely on athleticism.......well maybe an offseason weight program will allow him to hold position a bit better against post up bigs and not just blocks at the rim against the quicker guys. Or perhaps some skills training.

I'm simply pointing out areas of opportunity

Totally. He has areas to improve upon. But I'm gonna crow like mad about this dude. I can't fix his problems. But he already has cut back on fouls

[SelbyCobra]

Lowe:

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26104826/10-things-like-including-lakers-tank-talk

10. Mitchell Freaking Robinson

Have you stopped watching the tanky Knicks? Start again now. You will not be able to take your eyes off of Mitchell Robinson. He almost made this space a month ago, with this clip highlighting the peril and promise of his game:

The promise: He spooks Jeremy Lamb without hacking him, or leaping at an eyebrow fake. The peril: He swats way too late at Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's layup, and leaves the glass naked.

Over the past month, Robinson has started ironing out the "peril" part. He's fouling less after spending the first three months of the season hacking everything in sight. He's staying down on more pump fakes and hesitation dribbles, and keeping his hands up while tracking smaller guys on switches:

And he is blocking the holy hell out of everything. He is Billy Madison against the elementary school kids.

Robinson is averaging 5.5 blocks per 36 minutes over his past 15 games. No player has even sniffed that mark over a full season in almost 30 years.

He leads the league with 13 rejected 3-pointers, one more than Ben Simmons and Jrue Holiday, per Second Spectrum. Holiday and Simmons have both logged more than 2,000 minutes. Robinson hasn't cracked 900. You are not supposed to obliterate 3-pointers with this frequency.

He already has real gravity as a lob threat on offense; defenders stick close to Robinson on the pick-and-roll in fear of an alley-oop, and that fear opens driving lanes for New York's ball handlers. Robinson is a voracious offensive rebounder.

He remains a liability on the defensive glass -- an overeager block-chaser who doesn't box out enough. He can get lost in space when the Knicks are in rotation; you can sometimes spot him turning his head back and forth, frantically and Bargnani-esque, in search of the ball. He still fouls too much.

But Robinson has made progress already, and he has the potential to be special on defense -- a fearsome rim-protector with the quicks to stay on front of guards on switches, and the fast-twitch springs to erase their step-back jumpers.

[Karate Diop]

Again... This is pretty extreme hyperbole. And while I understand where it comes from... I also feel obligated to call out.

What's Rondbae up to lately?

It's been a rough year for him. The team was experimenting with him back at SF for a bit and encouraging him to take threes, but the perimeter development just hasn't been there and Atkinson refuses to adjust the principles of his system (whether right or wrong, I can't really say)...

All in all RondBAE's PER of 11.9 this year makes me sad ... But it's still 48.75% higher than Kevin Knox's 8.0 (j/k)