New York Knicks' Mitchell Robinson On Pace For Long-Sought Defensive Honor

Mitchell Robinson's early efforts have stabilized the New York Knicks' season and have gotten him closer to an elusive All-Defensive Team nomination.

Mitchell Robinson often appears in New York Knicks trade rumors as they continue to seek a superstar. With Robinson still stationed as the team's primary center, the patience, in this case, has been well justified.

Robinson's offensive numbers have never jumped off of the page, but his defense and rebounding have kept the Knicks' season from derailing after a slow start: through 11 games, Robinson has averaged 11.7 boards, ranking fourth among all NBA rebounders. That includes 5.8 of the offensive variety, ranking second to only Bismack Biyombo of Memphis.

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) defends San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the post / USA TODAY SPORTS

Defensively, Robinson's rating of 105 is highest among Knick regulars and he has often been assigned opponents' most prominent interior threats. In a Nov. 8 win over San Antonio, for example, Robinson was tasked with covering rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama. When Robinson was the primary defender Wembanyama was 0-of-6 from the field and scored only 14 points in a 126-105 loss. 

Robinson, the longest-tenured Knick at six seasons, has never made an All-Defensive Team. But if he keeps locking up high-profile players like Wembanyama, that could change by the end of the year.

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The intelligence that Robinson brings on the defensive end cannot be measured by stats alone, as he does so much more to impact opponents than just blocking shots or forcing turnovers. He makes every single shot that they take difficult, no matter if he blocks them or not.

Robinson will get another chance to show his defensive prowess when he and the rest of the Knicks (6-5) face the Washington Wizards tonight in the third part of a five-game road trip (7 p.m. ET, MSG).