Concerns for the Knicks

As the series progresses, it’s essential to address some concerns regarding the Knicks.

One significant issue stands out.

Mitchell Robinson faced challenges once again, struggling at the free-throw line during the Knicks’ 109-93 victory over the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. He went 0-for-4 from the line, bringing his overall record for the series to just 2-of-12.

In the playoffs so far, he’s managed only 13 successful free throws out of 41 attempts.

It’s frustrating to watch.

His free-throw shooting has seriously limited his effectiveness on the court.

On Thursday, he played just 13 minutes, with only three of those minutes in the second half.

In their first game, he logged 14 minutes. Unless the Cavaliers decide to foul heavily from the start of a quarter, bringing him back into the game won’t solve much, especially given his free-throw struggles.

Whenever Robinson goes for a putback or dunk, particularly a lob, the Cavaliers just foul him and send him to the line.

Before the next game, Robinson mentioned he planned to unveil a new side of himself.

On social media, he expressed personal reflections: “Last post before deleting this app. I was finally able to change myself… As we fight through these playoffs, my focus needs to intensify. This marks a new chapter in my life. I love you all…. Mitch, out.” But it seems like old challenges remain.

Meanwhile, Coach Mike Brown commended Jose Alvarado’s leadership during the game.

“We highlighted that in practice,” Brown noted. “Even when he’s on the bench, he lifts the team’s spirit and speaks positively. Jose shows younger players how they can impact the game with their voice and energy—it resonates on the floor. He was outstanding.”

Interestingly, Game 1 on Tuesday attracted the highest viewership for an Eastern Conference Finals game on ESPN since 2018, with an average of 7.1 million viewers peaking at 8.9 million.