New York Knicks: 3 players set for breakout seasons

2. Mitchell Robinson

In a season full of unwanted trades, negative criticism, offseason failures and, of course, a record of 17-65, Mitchell Robinson might as well have been the only bright spot on the New York Knicks organization.

Entering the league as a rookie, Robinson instantly made a name for himself when he broke the Knicks’ rookie blocks record by swatting away nine shots in just his 12th game in the league.

He averaged 2.4 blocks per game, which was enough to rank higher than Rudy Gobert and Joel Embiid, two players that are famous for their shot-blocking capacities.

To sweeten the pot even more for those defense fans out there, Robinson played only an average of 20.6 minutes per game. UNREAL.

Last but not least, Robinson was tied with Hassan Whiteside for most blocks in a single game throughout the regular season with nine and he did that in 22 minutes of playing time.

During the five Summer League games that he appeared in, Robinson averaged 13.8 points, along with 10.6 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game. And for the cherry on top, he made 29 out of the total of 34 shots that he took, wrapping it up with a shooting percentage of 85.3 percent.

It is fair to say that the New York Knicks possess a defensive gem. It is now up to them to make sure that he shines the way he’s supposed to. For Robinson, taking the next step might mean that he becomes a contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

That is something he appears to be truly capable of doing.