The New York Knicks' 2023-24 season has proven to be a tale of highs and lows, markedly influenced by the performance and health of their center, Mitchell Robinson. For the first six weeks, Robinson emerged as a dominant force in the paint, showing his prowess on both ends of the floor.
Robinson led the NBA in offensive rebounds during this period, establishing himself as a premier lob threat and rim protector. However, his ability to block shots showed a decline from his earlier seasons, signalling a shift in his playing style. Unfortunately, Robinson's promising start was cut short by a stress fracture in his left ankle. The severity of the injury required surgery, sidelining him for over three months.
The Knicks were dealt another blow when Robinson re-injured the same ankle during the playoffs, necessitating another surgery. His return is anticipated for December or January, leaving a significant void in the Knicks' lineup.
Adjustments in Robinson’s Absence
Complicating matters further, the Knicks lost center Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder during free agency. Hartenstein had seamlessly filled in for Robinson after his initial injury, excelling in drop coverage and paint defense. His departure left the Knicks needing to look deeper into their roster for solutions.
Head Coach Tom Thibodeau, known for his defensive philosophy which minimizes rotations and keeps big men around the basket, turned to Jericho Sims as the starting center following Robinson's stress fracture last December. Sims, though shorter than Robinson, brings energy and a bouncing playing style that generates additional possessions and strong offensive screens. However, his ability to defend pick-and-rolls in drop coverage has been less effective.
Thibodeau's historical avoidance of centerless lineups in New York means a reliance on traditional big men. The Knicks' defensive strategy emphasizes keeping big men near the rim, creating challenges when personnel like Robinson and Hartenstein are unavailable. Thibodeau hinted at potential adjustments, stating, "We'll look at some different things because we have versatility. We could see Julius [Randle] more at the 5," Thibodeau said. "I don't want to do that for long stretches, it would take its toll, but to have him do it for 10 or 15 minutes, I think he can do it well. He also would create a lot of [offensive] advantages."
Exploring Options
Sims, noted for his height advantage over Precious Achiuwa but shorter than Robinson, has yet to fully showcase his capacity to defend in Thibodeau’s preferred drop coverage system. Achiuwa, standing at 6-foot-8, brings agility and the ability to guard in the pick-and-roll while covering significant ground during rotations. This combination offers a potential solution during Robinson's recovery.
The trajectory of the Knicks' season hinges on how effectively they can navigate these challenges and the timely return of Robinson. His unique skill set as a lob threat, rim protector, and offensive rebounding leader is pivotal to their overall performance.
While Thibodeau continues to explore different configurations and strategies, the Knicks must grapple with the hard truth of their current reality: adapting without two of their key centers. Robinson and Hartenstein's contributions were crucial in maintaining the defensive and offensive equilibrium that Thibodeau's system demands.
The resilience and adaptability of the Knicks' roster will be tested as they move forward. Whether Sims or Achiuwa can rise to the occasion, or if Randle’s brief periods at the center can provide the needed spark, the onus is on the team to uphold their defensive rigor and maintain offensive fluidity.
Robinson’s expected comeback in December or January brings hope, but until then, the Knicks must leverage their versatility to stay competitive in a demanding NBA season.