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Mitchell Robinson found out about the Knicks’ latest roster change Thursday night while browsing social media, and he was immediately excited.
The Knicks are happy to have Taj Gibson back in the fold for depth to the front and another veteran presence, but neither is Robinson, who used the veteran big man as a mentor on and off the pitch when they were. teammates last season.
“It’s just amazing. I [saw] on Instagram. I was like, “We got TG back!” Robinson said on a Zoom call ahead of Friday’s game against Oklahoma City. “This is my guy. I can’t wait to see him return.
“I learned a lot from Taj last year. I’m pretty sure he [been] work during the summer. I can’t wait for him to come in and show me new [things] so that I can learn and grow as a player.
The 6-foot-9 Gibson signed Thursday night after the team turned down their $ 10 million option in November, despite not being with the Knicks for their game against the Thunder due to protocols COVID-19. The Knicks also gave up on forward Omari Spellman to create the roster.
Robinson, 22, who set an NBA record with a 0.742 field goal percentage last season, recorded a career-high 41 minutes in Wednesday’s comeback win over Utah – the Knicks’ fifth victory in six games.
The 7-footer center has mostly avoided trouble so far in his third NBA campaign, but the Knicks have always been lean up front in recent games with injuries to backup center Nerlens Noel, Spellman and the rookie striker Obi Toppin.
Gibson, 34, will provide another big body, as well as familiarity with head coach Tom Thibodeau, whom he played for in Chicago and Minnesota.
“With Taj he’s sort of [the league] for a minute now, so he has known the tricks of the trade, ”said Robinson. “By bringing him back, I can learn more. I learned a lot from him last year and will continue to do so. It’s good.
“Now that we’ve got Taj back, Nerlens is coming back to us one of these days… I think having them both will be a relief for me.” I can be replaced and have more energy in me. So I can go over there and keep playing hard.
Robinson made just two personal faults on his heavy workload Wednesday against the Jazz. He wasn’t fouled – or whistled for more than four fouls – in one of his first eight appearances, it all started.
“I think it’s the coaches,” Robinson said. “Who really wants to sit that much? I’m trying to find a way to limit the mistakes. I have only had two last games. I was very proud of myself. I will try to keep working and not to make mistakes.
Second-year guard RJ Barrett also endorsed Gibson’s return, calling him “a great teammate and a great guy.”
“He brings this energy every day,” Barrett said. “He always trains us, tells us to do the right thing. So I am very happy and excited to see him again.
The Knicks started playing Friday on a three-game winning streak with a 5-3 record for the season after opening last year with a 4-18 mark, leading to the dismissal of coach David Fizdale.
“I think it was great, very important,” Barrett said of the Knicks’ strong start. “It shows us that our work is paying off and our work is good, so we have to keep doing what we do and keep improving every day and trusting the process.
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