Jalen Brunson: Mitchell Robinson is a game-changer

Mitchell Robinson and Steven Adams lead the playoffs in fgOR% (the percentage of their team’s missed field goals that they personally rebounded), with 7-foot-4 rookie Zach Edey ranking fourth. All three are clear signs of the return of the big, physical, pound-the-glass center — a player type that looked nearly extinct at the height of the 5-out, spread-the-floor era. -via Diggin’ Basketball / May 15, 2025

Bobby Manning: Mitchell Robinson, who had a massive rehab process himself over the past year, said “it sucks” not being able to do anything while you’re out. -via Twitter @RealBobManning / May 14, 2025

When Mitchell Robinson steps onto the court, often subbing in for Towns six-ish minutes into the first quarter, the Knicks win. They have outscored the Celtics by 35 points when he’s in the game during this series. No other rotation regular, other than Miles “Deuce” McBride, who benefits from playing mostly alongside Robinson, is out of the negatives. New York is 38 points per 100 possessions better when Robinson is on the floor during these four games. In those moments, the rebounding hits another level. -via New York Times / May 14, 2025

In this installment, Medina has an exclusive interview with trainer Dave Williams on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson ahead of the team’s Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Indiana Pacers. The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed. What do you make of Jalen’s season and playoff run in context of his previous seasons? Williams: “I’m just so excited for him and happy for him with all of his accomplishments and everything he has going on. For him, I know he’s so strong-willed and strong-minded that he doesn’t feel like he’s living up to much and that there is so much more he can do — getting out of this Eastern Conference round, getting to the Finals, and making a run for the trophy. I’m very excited and very happy for him. But I just know he’s so level-minded. Everybody knows his mentality. He’s focused on just trying to get that trophy.” Beyond winning the championship, what more does he feel he can do considering he’s already done so much? Williams: “He’s never really satisfied with anything. He always knows he can do better. If he’s not making every shot, he wants to make every shot. He wants to make every play. He wants to do anything it takes to win. Watching him, I’ve seen that his defense has actually been more than good — especially his help-side defense and actually sitting down and playing one-on-one defense. I know he’s excited about that for himself. But putting the ball in the basket — he’s been doing that his whole life. That’s just kind of regular. A lot of people might not know or think of it that way, but he’s been doing this his whole life. That’s nothing new.” -via Responsible Gaming / May 21, 2025

Jalen Brunson: The fans are going to be the fans. They can enjoy it. They can do whatever they want—besides burn the city down. Honestly, they’re allowed to enjoy it. It’s for them, right? But I think as players, we can be happy about getting over a hump that we couldn’t get past the last two years. That night, maybe the next day, you feel good about yourself. But then you’ve got to turn the page. There’s a lot more basketball to be played. I can’t explain it—it’s just a mindset you have to have when you’re going through this because it’s certainly not over. Not even close. -via YouTube / May 21, 2025

Frank isola: Tom met with Michael Jordan years ago to discuss how Jordan used regular season to prepare himself for the playoffs. You know who wanted Jordan’s minutes reduced, especially in the playoffs? Opposing coaches. I’m sure Rick Carlisle is advocating for Jalen Brunson to play less. -via x.com / May 20, 2025