The New York Knicks were among the most efficient offensive teams in the NBA during the 2022-23 season, ranking third in offensive rating. However, how they earned such a high rating was unorthodox, as they were below average in all shooting percentages.
The Knicks were such an efficient offense because they would overwhelm their opponents in the paint and on the offensive glass. New York was third in the NBA in offensive rebounds last season with 12.6 per game and is trending in the same direction thus far in the 2023-24 campaign.
With 107 offensive rebounds on the season, the Knicks are currently third in the NBA once again; behind only the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors. A big reason for their success has been the performance of starting center, Mitchell Robinson.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks Updates
Robinson has done an excellent job of developing his skill set since entering the NBA as a high-upside player lacking experience. After not playing collegiately at Western Kentucky, Robinson was selected with the No. 36 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by New York.
Early on in his career, foul trouble plagued Robinson as he struggled to stay on the court. His impact was felt when he was receiving minutes, but it was unsustainable because he almost always found himself on the sideline in foul trouble.
With that area of his game cleaned up, Robinson’s been making his presence felt regularly. Thus far this season, he has recorded 45 offensive rebounds, which is the most in the NBA. That is only three fewer than the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have the fewest offensive rebounds by a team in the NBA thus far.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks Updates
That performance by Robinson has put him in some rare company. According to Tommy Beer, Robinson is just the fifth player in NBA history to record 45+ offensive rebounds over the first seven games of a season. He joins Moses Malone, Dennis Rodman, Andre Drummond and Jayson Williams.
The Louisana native has been a force on the glass for the Knicks, keeping possessions alive and giving the team opportunities at second-change points. Given how inefficient New York has been shooting the ball thus far this season, Robinson’s performance has been integral to the team finding any success offensively.
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