Tom Thibodeau has said it more than once.
Long before Mitchell Robinson’s surgery return timeline threw a wrench into the Knicks’ frontcourt plans, Thibodeau had a vision: Robinson as the starting center, Karl-Anthony Towns next to him at the four.
The blueprint was simple. The Knicks wanted to replicate the success Minnesota’s league-best defense found pairing Towns with a true defensive anchor in Rudy Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year. With Robinson protecting the paint a pair of disruptive wings in OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges guarding the perimeter, the Knicks believed they could mimic the Minnesota model.
Now, with Jalen Brunson sidelined, it’s time to put that theory to the test.
New York’s season could hinge on Towns and Robinson proving they can dominate together.
Brunson is out with a right ankle injury and won’t be re-evaluated for at least two weeks. The Knicks just lost their leading scorer, their crunch-time hero, and the engine of their offense.
With their captain down, the bigs must step up.
And the best way to survive Brunson’s absence?
Go big.
Pairing Towns and Robinson together addresses one of the Knicks’ biggest weaknesses: size. It also gives them a defensive foundation they’ve lacked all season. Flanked by Anunoby and Bridges, the Knicks would roll out a lineup featuring four players 6-foot-6 or taller — with Robinson as the paint enforcer and Towns as a versatile offensive hub.
McBride starting in place of Brunson adds another disruptive defensive irritant. The Knicks don’t need to start Robinson for Josh Hart immediately, but it’s a lineup they should run frequently while Brunson recovers from his injury.
The tape says as much, and the numbers agree.
For two minutes in the first half of New York’s eventual overtime loss to the Lakers on Thursday, the Knicks’ supersized lineup dominated.
When Robinson checked in for Hart at the 5:02 mark of the second quarter, the Knicks led 45-40. By the 3:24 mark, they were up 54-42.
A 9-2 run in less than 90 seconds of game time.
So, what worked?
- Robinson’s presence in the paint deterred Lakers from attacking the rim.
- His switchability allowed Thibodeau to add size without sacrificing versatility.
- Towns and Robinson’s interior gravity collapsed the defense, leaving Anunoby wide-open for a three.
- Robinson’s screens freed Brunson for clean offensive looks.
The result? An obscene +92.9 net rating for the Knicks in just two minutes.
It’s smaller than a small sample size. It’s minute and circumstantial. But the eye test backed it up.
Towns and Robinson complemented each other. Bridges and Anunoby overwhelmed the perimeter. And most importantly, the Knicks defended at a high level and turned their defense into offense.
Defense is how they will survive without Brunson. If they can get stops, they can get easy buckets.
And easy buckets are exactly what a team missing its best playmaker needs.
Of course, there are challenges.
Chief among them is Robinson’s conditioning, which isn’t there yet.
He’s played fewer than 15 minutes in every game since his return, and while his minutes will ramp up, the Knicks have to be cautious with a player coming off two stress fractures in the same ankle.
Depth behind Robinson is also question mark, a big reason why Thibodeau has to stagger his two centers.
Ariel Hukporti is out with a torn meniscus, leaving Precious Achiuwa as the only remaining frontcourt option who is not a wing player. Thibodeau likes Achiuwa at the four but will play him at center if necessary.
The Knicks also signed P.J. Tucker to a 10-day contract, but at 39 years old and without a game played this season, expectations should be tempered.
Plus both scoring and play-making behind Brunson is limited.
Cameron Payne is streaky. Miles McBride is more of an off-ball guard than a lead playmaker. Rookie Tyler Kolek, who has been compared to Brunson for his vision and three-point shooting, might finally get an opportunity. The Knicks recalled Kolek from the Westchester Knicks on Saturday and is active for Monday’s matchup in Sacramento against the Kings.
But none of those issues should stop Thibodeau from playing the bigs together. The dual big lineup could be the best option the team has, and they should work together while Brunson is out to be ready for his inevitable return.
Because the Knicks can’t replace Brunson’s offensive production. They don’t have another floor general who can win a game with his scoring brilliance alone.
But what they do have is newfound size and length with their two seven-footers on the floor together.
The formula is there. The pieces are in place. With the cap down, the bigs need to step up.
It’s Thibodeau’s secret weapon. And it’s time he uses it.
