Knicks' Mitchell Robinson to keep bringing energy off the bench
Mitchell Robinson shot 11-for-11 in Wednesday's victory over Portland, but he remained on the bench for Friday's game in Phoenix. Credit: Jim McIsaac
PHOENIX — The Knicks had to wait until the last minute to be sure they had Elfrid Payton in place to keep their starting lineup intact Friday, but they had no intention of making a change at center, choosing to continue to keep Mitchell Robinson with the second unit.
Although Robinson had the best offensive performance of his young career Wednesday with an 11-for-11 shooting night against Portland, the Knicks are sticking with Taj Gibson as the starting center. Robinson is playing more minutes per game (22.7) than Gibson (15.8).
“It’s working for us right now,” interim coach Mike Miller said. “We have a good flow and good rhythm with it. Those units that play together are effective. Until there’s a time we think we need to make a change, we’ll keep growing with what we’re doing.”
“I feel comfortable coming off the bench,” Robinson said. “I feel like I can get in the game better than starting . . . I came off the bench 11-for-11. You know what I mean? Keep doing what I’m doing. It’s working for me. I ain’t mad about it.”
Opportunities limited
With Reggie Bullock making his Knicks debut Wednesday, the playing time for guard Allonzo Trier could become even more limited. But Miller insisted that he has not knocked him out of the rotation.
“I see when he’s been out there, he’s been really productive and has helped every time he’s out there,” he said. “It’s been positive, in my opinion. He’s trying to make the play in front of him. I think he’s seeing the game, seeing the defense and taking what’s there.”
But Miller said that even if minutes are hard to find, he doesn’t anticipate pushing Trier to the G League to get playing time.
“Not at this point,” he said. “He’s a guy you can plug in because he’s always ready, bringing something to the table.”
Smith remains sidelined
Dennis Smith Jr. participated in the morning shootaround but said he still is working his way back from the oblique strain that sidelined him for the previous three games.
“I’m making progress,” Smith said. “That’s what’s important. Just starting [to get better]. We’re just being cautious with it, don’t want to re-aggravate it.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
