It's becoming low-hanging fruit to criticize Mitchell Robinson's start with the Boston Celtics. That also reflects how underwhelming his start has been. Robinson was a prized free agent addition, and not just because he helped the New York Knicks, but because he was once a certified Celtics killer.
So not seeing him play the way he once did when he was a Knick is making this experience all the harder to watch. However, if there was one person who may have seen this coming all along, it's Mitchell Robinson himself.
On Media Day, he revealed that he would need 20 games before he would really start taking off with the Celtics. He explained that in New York, he had to learn the ins and outs of which position he would have to be in when his teammates missed.
In other words, it wasn't just about how physically dominant he was on the boards, but also about understanding where he had to be. That could explain a few things, as many have been wondering where his elite offensive rebounding has been.
If Robinson says he'll need 20 games, give or take, to fit in with Boston, despite how bad he's looked, let's give him the benefit of the doubt. This would be a much more pressing concern if the Celtics were losing games, but they are 5-2.
Over the next few weeks, we'll see whether Robinson keeps his word. He'd better, because it's becoming clear how much better Neemias Queta has been as a starter than he has.
This could explain why he's been starting
Many were curious when Robinson won the gig as the Celtics' starting center on opening night. Beforehand, it wasn't like he wasn't good enough to be a starting center, but he thrived as the Knicks' backup big man.
Maybe Mazzulla is doing this so that Robinson develops familiarity with Jayson Tatum and Paul George first as the team figures itself out. The Celtics have been patient with their new additions in the past, so they have good reason to believe Robinson will need time, even if it's been somewhat of an agonizing process to see Robinson go through his growing pains.
The biggest consolation is that Boston rolling out a double-big lineup with him and Queta actually wasn't too bad last night. At least, it wasn't a lineup that was screaming, "Joe, change it up!" Maybe it's not the most preferred lineup, but it's worth trotting out if it's the first sign that Robinson is getting it together.
He's got a long way to go to prove he will fit in. 20 games isn't that much time, but it's a good bar for him.
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