Knicks Center Has Opportunity for Starter Resurgence

The New York Knicks have a starting lineup question that still requires answering, and one long-patient role player looks to cash in on the organization's desire for his desirable skillset.

Mitchell Robinson has a clean shot at seizing the fifth spot in the starting-five, a slot that's been advertised as up-for-grabs all summer long. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby are locked into their respective high-leverage roles, but the Knicks have yet to provide a definitive answer as to which complementary piece will round out the top five.

While the hustling and rebounding Josh Hart has owned that second backcourt spot next to Brunson for the majority of his colorful Knicks tenure, his once-consistent defense and shooting grew too unreliable for even his biggest fan in Tom Thibodeau. That's where Robinson came in, suddenly seizing the fifth starting job deep in the playoffs as a more reliable contributor.

Now that new coach Mike Brown's seen the proof of how much Robinson keeps the disappointing defense afloat and completely flips the rebounding game, momentum is building towards his maintaining the opening night nod for his team-leading eighth season with the franchise.

His ~5 point per game average and lack of any unassisted scoring threat or any semblance of a jump shot does little justice to his overall impact, which reveals itself in the margins. He averaged 6.5 offensive boards per 36 minutes, and though that's an unrealistic minute load to expect of the oft-injured backup to New York's star center in Towns, Robinson led the league in o-boards three seasons ago with 4.5 per game, and still managed to bring down 3.1 a night in last season's injury-plagued campaign.