Jayson Tatum knows Mitchell Robinson from the wrong side of the matchup.
For years, the Boston Celtics star dealt with Robinson as an opponent while the 7-footer was with the New York Knicks. Now that Robinson is in green, Tatum sees exactly why Boston wanted him.
“I love Big Mitch,” Jayson Tatum said before practice on Tuesday. “Hilarious guy, and he just brings a different dynamic to our team. Obviously his size and his instincts on the defensive end, and obviously being a lob threat and how great of a defender and rebounder he is.
“I had a hard time boxing him out for the last seven, eight years. So now to have him on our team and just give us a different look is something that I’m super excited about and the rest of the group is.”
That kind of impact is a big reason the Celtics gave Robinson a three-year, $47.4 million contract. He arrives with career averages of 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, and his biggest calling card has long been his work on the offensive glass.
Last season, Robinson averaged 4.2 offensive rebounds per game, which ranked third in the NBA behind only Steven Adams (4.5) and Donovan Clingan (4.5). His career offensive rebounding rate sits at 17.2 percent, the same mark Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman posted.
Tatum’s comments fit the numbers. Robinson has spent years making life difficult for opponents around the rim, and now Boston gets to benefit from that same grind.
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