New York Knicks: 5 reasons to be excited for 2019-20 NBA season

Robinson fighting for All-Defensive honors

A steal in the 2018 draft, Mitchell Robinson is a 7’1″ big man with a 7’4″ wingspan. Having played in 66 games last year, Robinson put everybody on notice, with his ability to lock down the paint and run the floor.

Robinson finished the season in the 99th percentile for blocked shots, swatting 5.3 percent of his attempts which is good for 2.4 blocks per game.

He also ranks in the top 91 percent of players for offensive rebounds grabbing 13.1 percent of available rebounds on the offensive end, keeping plays alive for his teammates.

Should Robinson wish to find himself in contention for an All-Team defense selection next year, he will need to improve on his defensive rebounding. Last year he only ranked in the 46th percentile for defensive rebounds with a 17.2 percent success rate.

That 17.2 percent is only good for 3.7 defensive rebounds per game, which when playing 20.6 minutes a night is an area in drastic need for improvement.

Being in the top 90 percent of centers for steals is another area where Robinson showed his potential to be a menace when protecting the paint, another way in which his effort is highlighted by the analytics.

Robinson did not only impact his team’s fortunes on one end of the floor though, but he was also a considerable threat when running the lane. Hitting 69.1 percent from the field and finishing in the 97th percentile of centers for mid-range shots.

Synergy has Robinson ranked as excellent in transition, averaging 1.5 points-per-possession when attacking the opposition at speed.

Should Robinson improve his defensive rebounding ability, and continue to affect the game in the other ways which made him so successful this past season.

Then he should be in contention for recognition when the time comes, on is current trajectory he will be a multiple All-Defensive team member and potentially a Defensive Player Of The Year winner by the time all is said and done.