Tom Thibodeau Notes Mitchell Robinson's 'Terrific' New York Knicks Progress

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau lauded Mitchell Robinson's efforts in the early going.

Just about one full month-plus into the 2023-24 NBA season, it's hard to find a more reliable New York Knicks contributor than primary center Mitchell Robinson.

Robinson has dominanted the offensive glass this year, averaging an NBA-best 5.8 second chances per game (1.3 more than closest competitor Clint Capela. The longest-tenured Knick, Robinson is also the only player to pull in at least 100 offensive rebounds so far this season (104, 27 ahead of Capela). 

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged Robinson's impact prior to Thursday's 118-112 victory over Detroit.

Robinson has been one of the Knicks' undeniable MVPs in the early going / USA TODAY SPORTS

"It's terrific," Thibodeau said via SNY Knicks. "You can look at the offensive rebounding, you can look at the defensive rebounding but there's great effort plays being made by him. Oftentimes, there's two or three people hanging on him and he's still finding a way to get to the ball."

"Those type of plays do nothing but unite and inspire. You see a great hustle play, that can get your team going and then the blocked shots, the pressure on the rim, the offensive rebounding, those things are huge."

Working through his sixth season in New York, Robinson is on pace to set new career-highs in nearly every major rebounding category. At 11.2 a game, Robinson is sixth in rebounding average despite pulling in only 5.3 on the defensive end.

Knicks Trade Rumor: Team 'Monitoring' Donovan Mitchell Happiness

But what Robinson lacks in rebounding, he's made up for in further defensive contributions: the seven-footer has put up a team-best 105 defensive rating and is swatting 1.4 blocks a game as the Knicks have let up an Eastern Conference-best 105.4 points a game.

Robinson and the Knicks (11-7) return to action on Friday night when they head north to face the Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).