Mitchell Robinson Adjusts Free Throw Routine

Mitchell Robinson is trying out a new free throw routine, hoping to address what many see as his biggest weakness, though the results so far aren’t entirely clear.

Unlike last playoffs, when he took three dribbles, Robinson has switched to one bounce before shooting during the preseason.

He’s also noticed that many of his shots have been drifting to the left, prompting him to tweak his positioning.

“I felt like I was rushing,” Robinson mentioned. “One dribble works better for me; it gets me right to the shot.”

Unfortunately, his changes didn’t yield immediate results. He struggled in his first three preseason games and had a rough outing against the Wizards, making just 2 of 6 free throws.

Despite these setbacks, it’s crucial for him to feel comfortable with his new approach. Head coach Mike Brown has emphasized the importance of consistency.

“We need a clear strategy,” Brown stated. “There should only be a couple of key things for all the coaches to communicate.”

He added that mixed messages could undermine Robinson’s confidence, urging all coaches to stick to the same basic advice during practice. This is all about helping Robinson build his skills effectively.

Robinson’s free throw issues became glaring last playoff season when opponents, particularly Boston’s Joe Mazzula, started to intentionally foul him.

This strategy not only limited his playtime but might have cost the Knicks a potential win in Game 3 against the Celtics.

Throughout his playoff career so far, Robinson has made only 39 percent of his free throws, raising concerns.

Recently, basketball legend Rick Barry, known for his unique underhand free throw style, suggested that he could help Robinson improve.

Instead of pursuing that route, Robinson opted to refine his own method and set a personal goal for this upcoming season.

“I just want to do better than last year,” he said.

Last season, he recorded a career-high 68.4 percent efficiency from the line, but that was based on only 19 attempts as he played in just 17 games due to an ankle injury.

With an expanded role this year, including likely starting alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, more playing time means more chances at the free throw line.

Worryingly, his free throw percentage has fluctuated over the years. He started his rookie season at 60 percent but has seen a decline, hitting a low of 40.9 percent in the 2023-24 season.

While it’s common for consistently poor shooters to struggle to improve, there are exceptions.

For example, Andre Drummond, who once shot under 40 percent, eventually raised his average to around 60 percent.

Karl Malone also went from 48 percent as a rookie to nearly 75 percent by the end of his career.

Robinson’s hope is that better conditioning could lead to improvements. Fatigue can complicate free throw shooting, and he’s worked on his fitness by following a healthy diet and running hills in Tennessee.

“I know how crucial those foul shots are. They’re just extra points,” Robinson acknowledged.