The New York Knicks' 2023-24 season has been nothing short of tumultuous, heavily influenced by both the dominance and injury struggles of their centerpiece, Mitchell Robinson. As the season kicked off, Robinson made an immediate impact, showcasing his prowess on both ends of the floor.
Dominance in the Paint
During the initial six weeks, Robinson was an unstoppable force in the paint, setting the tone for the Knicks' defensive strategy. He quickly became the league leader in offensive rebounds, establishing himself as a premier lob threat and a formidable rim protector. However, despite his impressive start, there were signs that his shot-blocking capabilities had slightly diminished compared to his earlier seasons.
Injury Woes
The momentum came to a screeching halt when Robinson suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle. The injury necessitated surgery and led to a prolonged absence of over three months from the court. The Knicks' troubles didn't end there; Robinson re-injured the same ankle during the playoffs, resulting in another surgery. The team now awaits his expected comeback, projected for December or January.
Adjustments and Challenges
Following Robinson's initial injury, backup center Isaiah Hartenstein admirably stepped up, providing stability in the paint. Hartenstein, who later signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency, excelled in drop coverage and showcased his defensive capabilities. His seamless integration into the starting lineup allowed Coach Tom Thibodeau to maintain his defensive philosophy, which emphasizes minimizing rotations and keeping big men around the basket.
With Hartenstein's departure and Robinson sidelined, Thibodeau turned to Jericho Sims as the starting center. While Sims brought energy and a knack for generating additional possessions with his bouncy playing style and solid offensive screens, he struggled to defend pick-and-rolls effectively in drop coverage.
Exploring Versatility
In light of these challenges, Thibodeau has explored different lineup configurations, notably considering Julius Randle at the center position. "We'll look at some different things because we have versatility. We could see Julius [Randle] more at the 5," Thibodeau stated. "I don't want to do that for long stretches, it would take its toll, but to have him do it for 10 or 15 minutes, I think he can do it well. He also would create a lot of [offensive] advantages."
This experimentation aims to exploit Randle's offensive versatility, although it deviates from Thibodeau's historical preference for traditional big men. The coach's inclination to avoid centerless lineups underscores the difficulties the Knicks face in adapting their strategy without Robinson.
The Role of Achiuwa
Additionally, the Knicks have explored the potential of Precious Achiuwa, who stands at 6-foot-8 and offers agility and defensive versatility. Achiuwa's ability to guard in the pick-and-roll and cover significant ground during rotations provides a possible solution to some of the defensive issues the team has encountered with Sims.
As the Knicks navigate these challenges, the hope remains that Mitchell Robinson's anticipated return will bring the stability and defensive anchor the team desperately needs. Until then, the onus falls on Thibodeau and his versatile roster to find the right balance and maintain competitiveness in an ever-demanding league.