As the head coach works to figure out how his playing time will shake out this season, there is something to think about with regards to Mitchell Robinson.
For the last few weeks, we've raised the question about how the Boston Celtics will navigate their full rotation of big men this season.
After all, the Celtics have Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson, who both provide real value and who both signed meaningful contracts this offseason. Both players deserve chances to make real contributions to the lineup.
Furthermore, Luka Garza is a capable backup who can deliver minutes, and Chris Cenac Jr. is a first-round pick who represents real upside with his athleticism.
There's a for head coach Joe Mazzulla to sort out and we've wondered specifically how things will shake out between Queta and Robinson. For instance, who will start games? Who will be on the floor at the end? Is that the same person, or is one the starter and one the closer?
As we think further about that, there is something to think about with regards to Robinson: His free-throw shooting. In eight seasons as a player with the New York Knicks, Robinson was just a 50.8 percent free-throw shooter. He shot only 40.8 percent a year ago and has five full seasons under the 50 percent mark.
Is his free-throw shooting too much of a liability for Mazzulla to have him on the floor late in games? Can Mazzulla even afford to have him on the game in "late-and-close" situations in the fourth quarter? It remains to be seen, but that's a real question that Mazzulla will have to answer.
Also of note on Robinson
Speaking to NBC Sports Boston this week, Robinson indicated that the Celtics are working him in some different offensive scenarios, even some that include him working away from the basket.
We discussed the positive and negatives of that here, and there's a decent mix of both.
Just as a note of interest: He's never attempted even a single 3-pointer in his entire career. Even if he starts playing outside the lane more, he can't be expected to become a totally different offensive player than he's been over the last eight years.
Up next
The preseason opener for the Celtics is set for Oct. 8. Boston will play four preseason games in total before kicking off the regular season on Oct. 20 against the Detroit Pistons in Detroit. The Pistons were the No. 1 seed in the playoffs last year while the Celtics were No. 2. Boston was beaten in the first round by Philadelphia.
