New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is known for his funny antics during postgame press conferences, and his latest retort to a reporter’s question was no exception.
Following the Knicks’ final game of the regular season, in which they lost 141-136 to the Indiana Pacers, New York Daily News Knicks beat reporter Stefan Bondy asked Robinson about going up against the Cleveland Cavaliers’ frontcourt tandem of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
What did Mitchell Robinson say?
Robinson didn’t take kindly to Bondy’s use of the phrase “two legitimate big men,” snapping back, “We got two of them, too. Really, we got three.” Robinson was referring to himself, Julius Randle, and Isaiah Hartenstein, who have combined for 19.4 rebounds per game this season.
When Bondy tried to clarify that he meant the Cavs’ starting frontcourt, Robinson was still not having it. “What [do] you mean? We [are] good. We [are] straight, too,” he said.
🤣
Stef Bondy on the Cavs: "When you play a team like that, that has 2 legitimate big men…"Mitchell Robinson: "We got 2 of em too. Really we got 3"
Bondy: "I mean…starters"
Mitch: "What you mean? We good. We straight too! What you talkin bout?"
Bondy: "…But is it… pic.twitter.com/eeux0bjYWH
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) April 10, 2023
Robinson’s humorous responses to reporters have gained him a following, with his “Berman, relax!” reply to former New York Post Knicks beat reporter Marc Berman going viral last year. This year it was no different and the NBA fans stormed to Twitter with their humorously applauding tweets!
How did the fans react?
A fan after watching Mitchell’s humorous response wrote, “Mitch is the fckin man.”
Another fan added, “Mitch ain’t wrong lol.”
A third fan goes on to comment, “i’d use that loaded comment as motivation. mitch answered everything correctly.”
i'd use that loaded comment as motivstion. mitch answered everything correctly
— 🏴☠️MikeFromQueens7🏴☠️ (@MikeFromQns7) April 10, 2023
In addition to his rebounding and defense, Robinson hopes to make a difference in the playoffs as a communicator, a role he enjoys doing with teammate Immanuel Quickley. “There’ll be more communication really [to] make sure our guys [are] in the right spots,” said Robinson, who anchors the backline of the Knicks’ defense.
The 25-year-old Robinson is looking forward to making his NBA Playoffs debut this year after a fractured right foot prevented him from playing in the postseason in 2021. Without Robinson, the Knicks were eliminated in five games by the Atlanta Hawks.
Knicks Begin Playoffs Preparation for Cavaliers Clash
New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau revealed that his team has started preparing for their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the coaching staff mapping out their game plan on Monday. The fourth-seeded Cavaliers will host the Knicks in Game 1 on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Cleveland.
Thibodeau stated that the team will take a day-by-day approach to their preparation, as they aim to build on their recent success against the Cavaliers. The Knicks have won their last three meetings against Cleveland, but the Cavaliers’ lone win came in a game where both teams’ frontcourt players were featured.
In that game, Cleveland secured a 121-108 victory, with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley combining for 22 points and 20 rebounds. Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle only contributed 19 points and 16 rebounds combined.
