Sprints put Mitchell in a foul mood
It seems too simplistic and youth league, but athletes respond differently to punishment and apparently Mitchell Robinson really doesn’t like to run.
Robinson’s encouraging development has been held back by his propensity to foul, an issue that’s been mostly attributed to discipline, or lack thereof. For a player who skipped college, it’s an understandable problem. But the foul trouble has kept Robinson off the court.
Until recently.
Over the last seven games, the 21year-old is averaging 27.3 minutes — five above his season average — without once collecting more than four fouls. The added playing time has led to more production. In those seven appearances, Robinson is averaging 14 points and 8.1 rebounds and 2.4 fouls on 69% shooting.
This immediately follows an eightgame block of Robinson averaging 19.6 minutes, 5.5 points and 4.5 fouls. He fouled out three times in those games.
So what’s the difference? While it’s easy to credit the coaching change, Robinson said he just wants to avoid sprinting at practice. It stems from a bet established by David Fizdale before the coach was fired on Dec. 6.
Each foul means Robinson sprints back-and-forth across the court twice prior to practice. Six fouls, in other words, equates to 12 sprints from baseline-to-baseline.
“If I foul, I got to run,” Robinson said. “Who want to keep running? I really don’t feel like doing all that.”
Robinson always speaks matter-offactly and straight-to-the-point. It’s like his game. He catches the ball and dunks. No funny business.
In Tuesday’s blowout victory over the Hawks, Robinson dropped a careerhigh 22 points. All nine of his field goals were in the restricted area. Seven were dunks. Finally, the Knicks are creating alley-oops for their pogo-stick teammate.
“Our guards, they were finding me,” Robinson said. “It’s kind of like a helpeach-other thing. I get them open, get them good looks, they look out for me. So it works out good.”
Of course, the requirement for Robinson’s success is keeping him on the court. Last season Fizdale punished Robinson for fouling with his hands down by making the center do pushups. Fizdale even threatened to have Robinson do the push-ups for public viewing during games, rather than just at the practice facility.
This season, the punishment is sprints.