Celtics’ Mitchell Robinson Opens Up On First Season Expectations

In one of the most significant moves of this year’s offseason, Mitchell Robinson left the New York Knicks to join the Boston Celtics less than a month after winning the title with the team.

Needless to say, parting ways with the Knicks was difficult for Robinson. Unfortunately, the franchise’s cap space issues gave them virtually no flexibility to retain the big man, leading the 28-year-old to sign a three-year, $47.4 million contract with Boston.

Despite being a key rotation player for New York, Mitchell Robinson now finds himself beginning a new chapter in his career with the Celtics. While this shift is likely to be challenging, Robinson seemed optimistic as he revealed his expectations for the upcoming season on social media. He shared:

“I went to the gym… working out with my coach in Boston. You know what he said? He didn’t know that I had the s–t that I showed tonight. The ball handling, the shooting, the touch. Right now, I’m just so confident in myself. I don’t worry about what no one said. I don’t give a f–k. But I am extremely confident right now.”

“I feel like this is going to be a great year for me,” Robinson added. “As you can see, I’m starting to take recovery a lot more seriously. So, hey, man, whatever you believe in, chase your dream.”

Given his importance to the Knicks‘ success and his connection to the franchise, being let go must have had a drastic impact on Mitchell Robinson’s confidence. However, after a brief period of adjustment, it appears Robinson has bounced back and is ready to go.

Needless to say, this is a great sign for the Celtics. In light of their own offseason challenges, adding a player who is eager to make an impact will prove valuable for Boston.

Does Mitchell Robinson’s Arrival Affect Boston’s Center Rotation?

The Boston Celtics’ big man rotation was identified as a primary issue for the team last season. Despite having phenomenal backcourt and wing depth, the Celtics were quite slim in the frontcourt, routinely relying on players like Neemias Queta and Luka Garza to fill in.

For the most part, Queta’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he established himself as a reliable interior presence in the starting lineup. While his development was remarkable, there are some questions being raised about how this could be affected by Mitchell Robinson’s addition.

Queta answered these doubts recently, stating:

“I’m not too worried about that. Like, that’s a Joe thing to figure out. I’m out there just welcoming my new teammates with open arms. Mitchell’s going to be a great addition for us. I’m extremely happy I don’t have to go against him anymore because he used to get all these rebounds.”

“It’s going to be good to have him on our side. Being able to have a player that’s so accomplished, being able to guard multiple positions. He’s one of the best rebounders the league has ever seen. So nothing but open arms for him, and I’m excited to be his teammate.”

Queta’s response may be considered diplomatic by some, but the overall sentiment is promising. Although Mitchell Robinson’s arrival will undoubtedly affect Queta’s playing time, the addition of another capable center will do wonders for Boston’s big man depth.

Last season, Mitchell Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Neemias Queta posted 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game.

With two formidable centers on the roster, the Celtics have stabilized their frontcourt. While Boston may still have some issues to address, the team has the potential to be competitive in a deep Eastern Conference.