Boston Celtics newcomer Mitchell Robinson was absent from this week’s introductory press conference while tending to a personal matter, but the man nicknamed “Big Country” left a sizable impression on his new team during his offseason visits.
“When Mitch came into the building for the first time — first of all, it’s kind of jarring how big he is, obviously,” said Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens. “It’s a good thing that we don’t have to block him out.”
Later, when we asked new teammate Paul George about pairing up with Robinson, he offered a similar sentiment.
“Obviously, Mitch is one heck of a specimen,” George told NBC Sports Boston. “He’s a phenom in terms of the ability to rebound and be a vertical threat from a pick-and-roll guy. I love that opportunity to play with bigs that play above the rim.”
Robinson’s “Big Country” nickname might be a nod to his Louisiana roots and his love of country music but it’s also a pretty accurate description of the real estate taken up on the court by the 7-foot, 240-pound center. Amid all of Boston’s offseason changes, the addition of Robinson and his ability to solidify the Celtics’ frontcourt might have flown further under the radar than typically possible for a man of his size.
For Day 9 of our Ramp to Camp series, we asked our panel to predict Robinson’s biggest contribution to this year’s team.
Any conversation involving Robinson invariably starts with his offensive rebounding. Robinson cleaned up a staggering 21.1 percent of his team’s misses last year for the world champion Knicks, far and away the best mark in the league (the next closest qualifier: Zach Edey in Memphis grabbing 17.7 percent of his team’s misses). Robinson finished second in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game (4.2) despite playing only 19.6 minutes per contest.
For a Celtics team that clearly values second-chance opportunities under Joe Mazzulla, Robinson’s presence has a chance to make the Celtics maybe the best rebounding team in basketball.
The advanced metrics also love Robinson’s defensive impact. Opponents shot 6.3 percent below expected output when Robinson was the primary defender, and 10.6 percent below expected inside of 6 feet.
The knocks on Robinson are his ability to stay on the floor and his free-throw shooting. The Celtics famously went Hack-a-Mitch trying to exploit that in previous seasons. Boston’s skills staff has to help him get his free-throw percentage up from last year (40.8 percent) and above the 50.8 percent he’s shot for his career.
In our mind, the biggest benefit beyond the obvious with his rebounding talents, is simply bolstering a Boston frontcourt that has been rebuilding itself since the departures of Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porzingis.
Now, Neemias Queta has a running mate. Queta and Robinson can each play hard in their on-court stints and, if there are additional minutes needed, Luka Garza showed he can infuse energy (and even more offensive rebounding) off the bench.
Once perceived as the team’s biggest area of concern, we’d go so far as to suggest that center depth is now a strength of Boston based on Queta’s development and the addition of Robinson.
In signing Robinson, the Celtics also weakened a primary rival in the Knicks. As Stevens and Co. can confirm, it’s a sizable void.
Kevin Miller: Vice President, Content Creation & Strategy
Energy at all times, creating at least five extra possessions per game.
Jason Levine: Executive Producer, Content Integrations
He’s going to rebound, so I want him to be able to stay on the floor (fouls, poor free-throw shooting not a factor in minutes)
Justin Leger: Producer, Multi-Platform Content
Durability will be critical.
Robinson has struggled with injuries throughout his career. His 60 games played last season marked his highest total since 2021-22 (72). He has played more than 60 games in a season only three times in his eight-year career: 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2021-22.
If Robinson misses a lot of time again this season, the Celtics will be back to square one with the center spot as their most glaring weakness.
Josh Canu: Celtics Editor
Impact on the rim.
They paid Robinson to be the perfect replacement for when Queta is off the floor. He is an elite rebounder and a presence inside on both ends. They need him to be exactly what they got him for and provide the depth they did not have a season ago.
Nick Goss: Producer, Multi-Platform Content
Offensive rebounding.
We all know Robinson is an excellent rebounder. If he can dominate the offensive glass and give the Celtics extra possessions, he’ll have a huge impact on the success of this team. Robinson’s 4.2 offensive rebounds per game ranked second among qualifiers in the NBA last season.
Michael Hurley: Producer, Multi-Platform Content
For those of us who come from a different era of basketball, I think we’re all a little excited to see what a throwback kind of player looks like with this team. Get in the paint, get your nose dirty, get the basketball. He’ll have a notable on-court impact, no doubt. But if he can help Neemias Queta develop in some needed areas, you’re really cooking with gas here.
Adam Hart: Executive Producer, Content Strategy
I want 60 percent free-throw shooting. If he’s rolling to the hoop, stacking assists for Jayson Tatum? Teams will be hacking. MAKE THEM PAY.
Max Lederman: Content Producer
Rebounds. Rebounds. More rebounds.
A player like Robinson can help end opponent possessions by defensive rebounding and give the Celtics extra shots by hitting the offensive glass. Sometimes it’s really that simple.
