Mitchell Robinson is already sounding like a player ready for a fresh start in Boston.
Less than a month after winning a title with the New York Knicks, Robinson made one of the offseason’s biggest moves by leaving for the Celtics on a three-year, $47.4 million contract. It was not an easy breakup. The Knicks’ cap space issues left them with almost no room to keep him, and the 28-year-old now begins a new chapter after being a key part of New York’s rotation.
Robinson has been open about where his head is at heading into the season, and the message has been simple: confidence. On social media, he said:
“I went to the gym… working out with my coach in Boston. You know what he said?
He didn’t know that I had the s-t that I showed tonight. The ball handling, the shooting, the touch.
Right now, I’m just so confident in myself. I don’t worry about what no one said.
I don’t give a f-k. But I am extremely confident right now.”
He followed that up with another blunt and upbeat statement:
“I feel like this is going to be a great year for me,” Robinson added. “As you can see, I’m starting to take recovery a lot more seriously. So, hey, man, whatever you believe in, chase your dream.”
For Boston, that kind of mindset matters. The Celtics have had their own offseason issues to work through, and bringing in a player who seems eager to make an impact is no small thing.
The bigger question now is how Robinson fits into a center rotation that already has Neemias Queta coming off a strong stretch. Boston’s frontcourt was a real problem area last season, even while the team was loaded on the backcourt and wing. The Celtics leaned heavily on players like Queta and Luka Garza to cover those minutes, and Queta in particular earned attention by becoming a dependable interior presence in the starting lineup.
So naturally, Robinson’s arrival raised a few questions about how the minutes will shake out. Queta brushed that aside when asked, saying:
“I’m not too worried about that. Like, that’s a Joe thing to figure out.
I’m out there just welcoming my new teammates with open arms. Mitchell’s going to be a great addition for us.
I’m extremely happy I don’t have to go against him anymore because he used to get all these rebounds.”
“It’s going to be good to have him on our side. Being able to have a player that’s so accomplished, being able to guard multiple positions.
He’s one of the best rebounders the league has ever seen. So nothing but open arms for him, and I’m excited to be his teammate.”
That’s a diplomatic answer, sure, but it also says plenty about how Boston views the move. Robinson will cut into Queta’s playing time, but the Celtics now have another proven center in the mix, and that kind of depth matters.
Last season, Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. Queta put up 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game.
With both bigs on the roster, Boston’s frontcourt suddenly looks a lot more stable. The Celtics still have work to do, but they’ve added size, production, and another body who should matter in a deep Eastern Conference.
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