The New York Knicks' 2023-24 season has faced significant challenges due to the dominance and subsequent injury woes of their center, Mitchell Robinson. For the first six weeks, Robinson was a commanding presence on both ends of the court, leading the NBA in offensive rebounds and establishing himself as a premier lob threat and rim protector. However, his ability to block shots had shown some decline compared to previous seasons.
Robinson's season took a turn for the worse when he suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle. The injury required surgery, sidelining him for over three months. Just as the Knicks were gearing up for the playoffs, Robinson re-injured the same ankle, necessitating yet another surgery. The expectations are that Robinson will make his comeback sometime in December or January.
Compounding the Knicks' problems was the loss of backup center Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder during free agency. Hartenstein had stepped in seamlessly when Robinson initially went down, excelling in drop coverage and as a paint defender. His departure left a significant gap in the Knicks' defensive rotation.
Thibodeau's Defensive Adjustments
Head Coach Tom Thibodeau has always emphasized a defensive philosophy that focuses on minimizing rotations and keeping big men around the basket. Over the past four seasons, he has largely avoided centerless lineups, preferring to rely on traditional big men to anchor his defense. Thibodeau's approach was put to the test following Robinson's initial injury, turning to Jericho Sims as the starting center.
While Sims brought a different skill set to the table, his performance has had mixed results. Standing shorter than Robinson but taller than Precious Achiuwa, Sims is known for his energetic, bouncy playing style. He excels at generating additional possessions and setting strong offensive screens. However, his struggles in effectively defending pick-and-rolls in drop coverage have been a notable issue.
Precious Achiuwa, at 6-foot-8, offers agility and the ability to guard in the pick-and-roll while covering significant ground during rotations. His skill set provides Thibodeau with a versatile option, although it still comes with some challenges.
Exploring Versatility
As the Knicks navigate these roster challenges, Thibodeau has acknowledged the need to experiment with different lineups. "We'll look at some different things because we have versatility. We could see Julius [Randle] more at the 5," Thibodeau stated. "I don't want to do that for long stretches, it would take its toll, but to have him do it for 10 or 15 minutes, I think he can do it well. He also would create a lot of [offensive] advantages."
The option to use Julius Randle at center opens up a range of offensive dynamics for the Knicks, although it is clear that Thibodeau is cautious about overextending Randle in this role. The head coach's pragmatism highlights the balancing act required to maintain both offensive and defensive integrity while navigating the absence of their key centers.
As the middle of the season approaches, the Knicks' ability to adapt to these injuries and roster changes will be crucial. Thibodeau's defensive strategies and willingness to explore versatile lineups will play a key role in determining how effectively they can cope with these challenges. However, the return of Mitchell Robinson remains a pivotal moment that could redefine the trajectory of their season.