Mitchell Robinson could sneakily be Knicks’ biggest playoff upgrade
The New York Knicks took a major gamble last offseason by replacing Tom Thibodeau with Mike Brown, even after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. Along with changes to the rotation and offensive structure, Brown also made a quieter but potentially pivotal move by adding a designated shooting coach to the staff.
That decision may already be paying dividends in an unexpected way.
The biggest beneficiary of assistant Peter Patton’s influence has been Mitchell Robinson, specifically at the free throw line. If this progress holds, it could dramatically alter how opponents defend the Knicks in the postseason.
A Small Sample With Big Implications
For most players, a modest uptick at the charity stripe would not generate much attention. For Robinson, it is a different story.
Following the Knicks’ NBA Cup title win over the San Antonio Spurs, Robinson had converted just six of his first 27 free throw attempts. That changed quickly when the Philadelphia 76ers visited Madison Square Garden. Despite the loss, Robinson’s 7-of-8 night at the line energized the crowd and caught the attention of teammates.
He followed that performance with another encouraging outing against the Miami Heat, knocking down all three of his free throw attempts.
Through 19 games this season, Robinson now sits at 16-of-38 from the line, good for 42.1 percent. That number is still below league average, but for a player who has long struggled in this area, it represents meaningful progress.
More importantly, it directly addresses the most exploitable weakness in his game.
Why This Matters in the Playoffs
Last postseason provided a clear example of why Robinson’s free throw shooting matters so much. During the Knicks’ series against the Boston Celtics, head coach Joe Mazzulla leaned heavily into a “hack” strategy, intentionally sending Robinson to the line to neutralize his elite offensive rebounding and physical presence.
New York still won the series, but the blueprint was obvious. Other teams took note.
If Robinson can even approach league-average efficiency at the line, that strategy becomes far less appealing. Opponents would be forced to defend him straight up, allowing his rim protection, rebounding, and interior dominance to remain fully intact.
That shift alone could swing playoff games.
A Subtle Change With Massive Upside
The Knicks do not need Robinson to become a reliable scorer. They need him to be playable in every situation. Improving from a liability to a passable option at the free throw line could be enough to keep him on the floor when it matters most.
It is still early, and the sample size remains small. But if this improvement proves sustainable, Robinson’s growth could end up being one of New York’s most impactful postseason developments.
Sometimes the biggest upgrades do not come from blockbuster trades. They come from fixing one critical flaw.
