Apparently, Mitchell Robinson hasn’t vocalized any concerns over his role in the offense to coach Tom Thibodeau.
Following the Knicks’ loss to the Jazz on Tuesday in Utah, the team’s young center tweeted, “One day they’ll let me play.” Robinson is averaging a healthy 29.6 minutes per game and, thus far, has been able to avoid foul trouble most of the year, so it would seem the tweet was directed at his role in the offense.
The tweet was quickly deleted, and Thibodeau said he was unaware of any issues Robinson may have.
“I really don’t pay attention to that stuff,” he said after practice Thursday over Zoom. “And I’ve never coached through the media or social media or whatever that is. My conversations with him, that’s never come up.”
Butch Stockton, Robinson’s high school coach, has told The Post’s Marc Berman that Robinson shot 3-pointers for him and hit them at a 35-40 percent clip. Videos surfaced in the summer of Robinson hitting jumpers during workouts. But in his three years with the Knicks, Robinson’s scoring has come primarily off of dunks and putbacks.
Mitchell Robinson and Tom Thibodeau Getty Images; AP“I’m waiting on the opportunity,” Robinson said earlier this season. “I’ll continue to play my role when it presents itself. When that time comes, I know I can shoot.”
Thibodeau told reporters they should ask the 7-foot Robinson about the deleted tweet, though he wasn’t made available to the media, and hasn’t talked to reporters in 12 days. Thibodeau said he speaks frequently to Robinson, who is averaging 9.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, but that topic hasn’t been broached. The Knicks’ coach did note he knows where Robinson is at his best, and that’s in anchoring the defense as a rim protector and attacking the basket.
“I know where he’s most efficient in all areas,” Thibodeau said. “The thing I focus on is our team and everyone doing what’s best for the team. And that’s where that lies.”
Shooting guard Reggie Bullock (sore neck) was able to practice on Thursday, but he remains day-to-day. Bullock has missed the last two games and his status for Friday’s game against the Cavaliers is uncertain.
Assistant coach Mike Woodson missed part of the western road trip because of personal reasons, according to Thibodeau, but he’s back with the team.
