A lot of Boston Celtics fans were getting worried about Mitchell Robinson after his slow start to the season. Through his first six games (including five starts), he averaged just 6.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and under a block in 19.2 minutes. He also physically looked slower than usual, and he looked sluggish.
Robinson's whole thing is being a physical brute on both sides of the ball and grabbing rebounds on a consistent basis. He wasn't doing any of that. And when you combine that with the fact that he was starting over Neemias Queta, who has been fantastic to start the season, it makes his performances look even more upsetting.
Fortunately for Robinson and the Celtics, the NBA season isn't just two weeks long. It's a marathon, and it's normal for players to go through some ups and downs, especially when they join a new team and system, which the Florida native did in the offseason.
Robinson just had the best game of his young Celtics career, and fans should be encouraged with what he showed.
Mitchell Robinson looked like himself against the Bucks (mostly)
Outside of the fact that he shot 1-for-8 (he's a career 70.1 FG% shooter; he's likely never going to be this inefficient again), Robinson looked incredible during Boston's win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
In the game, he recorded 10 rebounds (six offensive), one assist, one steal, one block, one turnover, and only one foul in 20 minutes. He also looked pretty good defensively. He wasn't nearly as slow as he was to begin the season, and he brought a lot more of the physicality and energy fans were expecting to see from him.
It's still clear at times that he is either finding his footing in the system or needs to keep building chemistry with the rest of his teammates (I can count on both hands how many times he has missed an alley-oop connection during his time in Boston so far), but things may finally be looking up.
Robinson has been a legitimate NBA asset for a long time. He wasn't their best or most important player, but the New York Knicks don't win the championship last season without him. The 28-year-old provides a ton of value on the glass and in the paint. There's a reason the Celtics signed him. He can greatly move the needle for them, as they look to establish themselves as real title contenders this season.
And during Wednesday's game, we all got a glimpse of what he brings to the table, and fans should be excited about it.
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