The Boston Celtics signed Mitchell Robinson to a three-year, $47.3 million contract in free agency, but the big man should come off the bench as he did during the rival Knicks’ title run. Robinson is making more money than Neemias Queta, even when the incumbent Celtics starter’s extension kicks in, but Mitch Rob’s flaws make coming off the bench the ideal role. He is an elite defender and rebounder. Still, head coach Joe Mazzulla needs to maximize him.
Robinson’s free-throw shooting and offensive struggles leave his head coach with no choice but to bench him in certain situations. Knicks’ head coach Mike Brown used him for less than ten minutes in two of the final nine games of the title run. Robinson played 20 massive minutes in the championship-clinching game. He will help, but Boston must use him in a lesser role that is managed closely.
Mazzulla should bring him off the bench and play him 20 minutes per game. Robinson started 16 regular season games last season, including 12 with Karl-Anthony Towns in the lineup. The Celtics won’t be looking to play the twin towers, but this signing gives them something the last three champions had. Mazzulla just needs to maximize the production.
Mitchell Robinson should come off the bench for the Celtics
Robinson was primarily a starter for four straight years, where he averaged just 48.3 games per season. Robinson played in 60 contests last season for the first time since 2022. Having to log fewer minutes per game certainly helped keep him on the floor.
The Celtics want him healthy and productive in the playoffs. They are excited about his offensive rebounding and rim protection. Mitch Rob could swing crucial games and just won a championship with the Knicks. Fans know his impact and experience will matter in the playoffs.
Less is more with Robinson. Mazzulla can expand his minutes to 25 in a needed matchup, and he should bench the seven-footer when the other team is using the Hack-a-Mitch strategy. Robinson shot 40.8 percent from the free-throw line last season and has made 50.8 percent over his eight-year NBA career. The foul shooting will be a problem.
Playing Mitch Rob eight minutes in a game is easier if he comes off the bench. Boston doesn’t have to bench him to start the second half and make it a talking point. Few people notice when a reserve barely plays, but that isn’t the case for a starter.
The Knicks gave the Celtics the Mitchell Robinson blueprint
Mike Brown played Mitch Rob over 30 minutes against the Pacers when he had a dominant 20-point, 22-rebound double-double. It was just one of seven contests where the 28-year-old played over 25 minutes last season.
The Knicks watched his playing time closely. He played under 15 minutes just three times. That leaves 50 games where the big man got between 15 and 25 minutes. That is the ideal role. Robinson can split the minutes with Neemias Queta. Both big men can play harder when they are on the floor and lean into what makes them great.
Mazzulla can ride the hot hand late in games just like Brown did. If Robinson was playing well, he got into the 20s. There were plenty of nights where he was under that mark because going smaller gave New York a better chance to win.
The Celtics should learn from this blueprint. Brown nailed how to maximize Mitch Rob in his first season in New York. The big man was healthy and productive through a championship run. Mazzulla and Boston are hoping to do the exact same thing with Robinson playing a key role.
The Boston Celtics should bring Mitchell Robinson off the bench and play him around 20 minutes per game on average. They should change things based on matchups, but keep Mitch Rob under 25 during the regular season. That will give him the best shot to stay healthy and productive during a playoff run.
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