It was much ado about nothing. A national media topic of discussion that was really a non-story at this juncture of the long NBA season when Knicks forward Mikal Bridges suggested head coach Tom Thibodeau utilize the bench players more.
Because Thibodeau has been criticized for many years, going back to his first NBA head coaching stint with the Chicago Bulls from 2010 to 2015, for wearing down his starters, Bridges’ opinion was amplified.
“We’ve got a lot of good guys on this team that can take away minutes. Which helps the defense, helps the offense, helps tired bodies being out there and giving up all these points. It helps just keeping fresh bodies out there,” Bridges said in Portland last week where the Knicks were playing their fourth game of a five-game, seven-day Western road trip.
Fatefully, Bridges logged 41 minutes and scored a team high 33 points, the most consequential of them a game winning three-pointer at the buzzer in overtime to push the Knicks to a 114-113 win.
While All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson is still recovering from a right ankle sprain sustained on March 6 versus the Los Angeles Lakers in a 113-109 OT loss, center Mitchell Robinson played his eighth game of the season on Monday night after returning from left ankle surgery performed last May. His 10 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 24 minutes were impactful in the Knicks 116-95 win over the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks were 43-24 when going into their game last night on the road against the San Antonio Spurs, the No. 3 seed in the East and five games ahead of the No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers. Robinson has provided Thibodeau more lineup flexibility and expansion of his bench. He is increasing the minutes the 7-foot Robinson and fellow 7-footer, starting center Karl Anthony-Towns, share the court with the All-Star Towns at the power forward spot.
By the eye test, Robinson’s explosiveness, timing stamina and activity are rapidly improving with each game.
“He’s just a huge factor in particularly when you have him and KAT [Towns] out there together, get two seven footers, and then when OG [Anunoby] is on the front line with them, also he’s just so long,” said Thibodeau after Monday’s win.
“The baskets protected, but I think the rim protection, his ability to get out of the perimeter, defend, pick and roll, challenge shots, cover a lot of ground and make a second and third effort to be up on the pick and roll and then still get back to rebound and change shots. You see him multiple effort plays from home. I think his timing is coming around. So, he’s moving great. He feels great.”
“I mean, his presence alone adds a lot to our defense. It adds a lot to our team and gives us a chance to get really versatile with our lineup,” observed Towns. “So today was a good day. I thought we got that four or five with me and him and it caused some problems, and it allowed us to see how we can improve on that too.”
Robinson acknowledged that his comfort level is growing.
“I feel good. I’m finally getting the rhythm back a little bit, so that’s great. Basically, just got to keep going.”
The Knicks play the Charlotte Hornets on the road tonight, and host the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks at the Garden Saturday and Tuesday respectively.