Mitchell Robinson looking forward to matchup against Giannis Antetokounmpo: ‘it is more motivating’

As it turns out, the wealthier version of Mitchell Robinson is still motivated and even more effective.

But after the center racked up six blocks in a victory over the Hornets, Robinson understood an important barometer awaits him Friday in Milwaukee:

Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“Yeah, it is more motivating. I can make my mark,” Robinson said. “It’s like, ‘Hey, bro. This is what it is. This is what I’m supposed to do.’”

Antetokounmpo is leading the three-man race against Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Denver’s Nikola Jokic for the NBA’s most dominant big man. The modernized Shaquille O’Neal destroyed the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday with 43 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks, giving Antetokounmpo consecutive 40-point double-doubles.

Robinson, who owns a 3-6 career record against Antetokounmpo, said the key to containment is plugging the lanes. It’s sound logic: once the Greek Freak gets a momentum on his drive, there’s little hope for the defense.

“He’s running and dunking and driving in the gaps. That’s really it. You got to fill gaps, man,” Robinson said. “He’s got long legs, long arms. You got to make sure he can’t get nowhere.”

Still, Robinson said Antetokounmpo isn’t the most difficult to contest at the rim. He instead cited Jokic because of his craftiness. The rationale is that Robinson, at 7-1 with pogo-stick hops, can get higher than anybody in a jumping contest. Just this week, for instance, Robinson easily rejected a 3-pointer from Manute Bol’s son, the 7-3 Bol Bol.

But anticipating Jokic’s feints and footwork are different than leaping against Bol or Antetokounmpo. If there’s one thing that’s troubled Robinson defensively in his career, it’s anticipation and foul trouble.

Thus far, Robinson has been a steady force as the Knicks’ anchor. He battled foul trouble in the opener — an overtime loss in Memphis — but since justified that summer gamble on his four-year, $60 million contract.

“Most people yell out, ‘when you get paid, you don’t want to work no more.’ That’s the opposite of me,” Robinson said. “Even though I got a little bag, I’m still gonna work even harder now because I want another one. I want more. I’m hungry.”

Robinson’s best effort was Wednesday’s overtime win against the Hornets, when he logged 37 minutes with six blocks — including the game-saving rejection with eight seconds remaining in OT. The Hornets were not welcome at the rim and the seven footer made it known on social media after the game.

“IT’S A MF BLOCK PARTY!!!!! HOSTED BY MITCHELL ROBINSON,” <a href="https://twitter.com/23savage

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“From the very start of the game he was great at protecting the rim,” Julius Randle said. “He kept saving us on drives. Mitch was amazing.”

Of course, the Bucks are a massive upgrade in competition from the Knicks’ previous three opponents — the Pistons, Magic and Hornets — and that’s mostly because of Antetokounmpo.

Robinson is motivated by the test with his eye on something Antetokounmpo already owns: a Defensive Player of the Year award.

“I’m trying to get it,” Robinson said. “And I’m going to continue to fight to get it.”

“From the very start of the game he was great at protecting the rim,” Julius Randle said. “He kept saving us on drives. Mitch was amazing.” Of course, the Bucks are a massive upgrade in competition from the Knicks’ previous three opponents — the Pistons, Magic and Hornets — and that’s mostly because of Antetokounmpo. Robinson is motivated by the test with his eye on something Antetokounmpo already owns: a Defensive Player of the Year award. “I’m trying to get it,” Robinson said. “And I’m going to continue to fight to get it.”

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from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/gKT6Mun