Knicks Success Could Rely on One Player

The New York Knicks hope that they can get production from Mitchell Robinson.

Jeremy Brener | Sep 3, 2024

Apr 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) warms up before game five of the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are faced with a big man issue, but they are relying on a familiar face to be the solution.

Mitchell Robinson, 26, is the longest-tenured member of the Knicks, having been with the franchise since 2018. While Robinson has dealt with some ups and downs throughout his time in New York, the team is counting on him in a major way for the upcoming season.

Robinson is the primary big man for the Knicks, and the team will rely on him more than they have in the past.

"Mitchell Robinson is the lone low-post presence entering the season," NBA.com contributor Shaun Powell writes. "This could be problematic for a team that shares a division with Sixers center Joel Embiid and Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis and may face Heat star Bam Adebayo at some point. Robinson’s health, defense and rebounding will be crucial."

Robinson was the starter going into last season at the center position, but he was replaced by Isaiah Hartenstein after he suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for a few months. Hartenstein played so well that he kept his starting spot when Robinson returned for the end of the season.

Hartenstein played so well that he earned a contract far more than what the Knicks could even offer, so he left New York to join the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he'll help Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren to try and win a championship.

Robinson doesn't have much depth behind him, as Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa are expected to be his backups. So Robinson will need to stay healthy and have the best season of his career because he now has to fill some very big shoes. If he can't do that, then the Knicks' title hopes for the upcoming season will slowly fade away.

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Published Sep 3, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.