The feeling was universal in the Knicks locker room after Tuesday night's win over the Pistons.
What the team saw in Mitchell Robinson, and what the center saw in himself, was the best version of Robinson that New York has seen all season.
"That's his best game right there," head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "That's a monster game. Big play after big play."
Robinson played just under 25 minutes, finishing with a team-best +24 in an all-around dominant effort that included 8-of-9 shooting from the floor, 17 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. For Robinson, he was in full agreement with his head coach that Tuesday night was the best he felt all year, and it showed in a stuffed stat sheet.
"I feel the same way," Robinson said. "I felt like I was in better shape too. I was actually running a little more than usual. I think we're heading in the right direction.
"I was just feeding off the energy that was around us. The team was playing good and sharing the ball. I was just feeding off them, really. It worked out."
Conditioning had been a concern for Robinson all year, after he returned late in the offseason due to his season-ending surgery back in March to repair a fractured foot. Robinson also missed extended time last season due to a fractured hand, and it has taken time for him to get back into game shape. But he has felt it improving of late, and it showed in the energy he displayed on The Garden floor against Detroit, getting out to the perimeter to block 3-point attempts, and even chasing down the loose ball after his rejection on the other end of the floor.
"He was out for a very long period of time," Thibodeau said. "I think he's made a conscious effort to get into better shape…and find his rhythm. For a big guy like that, it's timing, rhythm, conditioning, it's all of the above, and you're asking him to be the anchor of the defense…you can't do that unless you're in great shape."
Robinson's conditioning is returning, and it showed in a big way to help get New York a much-needed win on its home floor Tuesday night.
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