INDIANAPOLIS — Knicks interim coach Mike Miller says center Mitchell Robinson was “worthy’’ of being a Rising Star, calling his campaign “a great year.”
Robinson, the 7-foot-1 super athletic second-round pick, has failed to develop a mid-range shot in his second season, gets in foul trouble and sometimes is out of position defensively, but Miller sees growth and a 71.8 percent field-goal percentage that leads the NBA.
According to sources, Knicks brass fully expected Robinson to be part of the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star weekend in Chicago in his second season. “The Shotblocker from The Bayou’’ was a second team All-Rookie pick in 2018-19.
The Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 14 is made up of the top rookies and sophomores but broken into Team World vs. Team USA. RJ Barrett, the Knicks’ No. 3 pick, got the nod but is from Canada and will play for Team World, which had fewer candidates.
“[Robinson] is elite,’’ Miller said after Saturday’s morning shootaround at Bankers Life Fieldhouse before facing the Pacers. “He’s leading the league in shooting percentage. That’s one piece of what he’s doing. He’s top in the league in blocked shots. He’s impacted the game in so many ways. If he isn’t blocking shots, he’s changing shots. He’s changing how people are playing.”
According to Miller, Robinson is doing effective stuff that’s not showing up in his box score as one of the NBA’s most feared alley-oop threats.
“You look at all of these rolls [to the basket] he doesn’t get the ball, it’s the pressure he puts on the basket,’’ Miller said. “[They] are assists for other guys who get shots. He’s impacted the game in so many different ways.”
A Rising Star?
“There’s a lot of people worthy and he’s having a great year, with what he’s doing for this team,’’ Miller said.
Assistant coaches vote for the slots. The Knicks’ record of 13-36 doesn’t help. He also comes off the bench as veteran Taj Gibson continues to start.
“It’s not something that’s going to hurt my feelings,’’ Robinson said. “I’m still going to come out here and play. I’m still going to move on and continue to play ball. I’m still in the NBA, so I really don’t care.”
Barrett came to Robinson’s defense. They would have been opponents.
“That’s a tough one, especially for the USA team,’’ Barrett said. “It’s so many people competing for certain spots and it’s hard to not see him out there because he’s such a great talent. But he’s going to keep working and prove people wrong.’’
The honor would have been a good boost for Robinson and Knicks GM Scott Perry, who is on shaky ground along with president Steve Mills. Robinson is one of the major positives on their Knicks’ résumés since he was taken with the 35th pick in the 2018 draft.
Asked if he’d use it as motivation, Robinson said, “Yeah. Absolutely. People talk. But I really don’t listen to what they say. I’m just going to come out here and continue to play hard. That’s what it’s all about. Come out here and play for my teammates. That’s really what it is.’’
Robinson is averaging 9.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. He’s shooting 71.8 percent but it’s all putbacks and alley-oops. He barely looks at the rim anymore when he gets the ball in mid-range and defenders back off.
Miller doesn’t want him to force anything.
“If he gets some perimeter shots in there that would be the next step in his progression,’’ Miller said. “But look at the steps he’s taken, what he’s been able to do and impacted the game.’’
Robinson said he’s shooting jumpers well in practice, and he’s getting close to being comfortable enough to launch. But he’s said it before.
During pregame activities, Robinson is a fixture, taking jumpshots with assistant coach Pat Sullivan from all angles of the court.
“That’s just one of my jobs, I’m going to add to it,’’ Robinson said. “Over time, it’s going to get better. Everybody knows I can shoot. I don’t know why — something I’ve got to get into the groove. I’m not just going to go out there and jack up 80 shots.”
Asked if he might be a bolder jumpshooter after the All-Star break, Robinson said, “It might be before. I took some shots in practice at [Friday’s scrimmage]. I’m just going to translate that to the game. It’s just a matter of time when I’m going to do it.’’
There’s still a chance someone gets injured and Robinson is tabbed. But if not, he’s ready for his hometown New Orleans to rest his multiple bumps and bruises, including a banged-up toe.
“But I’m going to go out there and still work,’’ Robinson said. “I’m not going to do nothing. You can get out of shape too fast.’’
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