Knicks Big Man Dilemma: Start or Bench Robinson?

The New York Knicks are facing a good problem to have as Mitchell Robinson nears his return from injury - who should start at center between the athletic Robinson or the steady Isiah Hartenstein?

Robinson, the 24-year-old former second round pick, has been the Knicks’ starting center for the past four seasons. A lob threat, elite offensive rebounder and shot blocker, he seemed entrenched in the starting unit before suffering a stress fracture in December.

In his absence, Hartenstein has shined as an underrated free agent pickup. The 24-year-old German big man has ranked among the league leaders in offensive rebounding and rim protection while providing a reliable two-way presence.

The Knicks have gone 26-14 with Hartenstein as the starter during Robinson’s absence. Several of their most used lineups include Hartenstein while Robinson has yet to share the court with key additions like OG Anunoby.

While Robinson might be the higher ceiling player when fully healthy, there’s a case to initially bring him off the bench to avoid disrupting the chemistry and rhythm Hartenstein has built over the last few months.

It would allow Robinson to reacclimate slowly while letting Hartenstein stay in the role he has thrived in recently. It could also unlock a dominant defensive frontcourt featuring Robinson and Anunoby playing major minutes together.

On the other hand, Robinson has been the unquestioned starter for years and reinserting him as the first unit center would put the Knicks’ preferred playoff rotation in place immediately. The ideal starting five of Robinson, Anunoby, Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo could rapidly re-establish chemistry before the postseason.

Robinson’s verticality gives the Knicks a lob threat that unlocks a different dimension of their offensive attack. And his presence alongside Anunoby could make the team’s defensive frontcourt impenetrable.

Ultimately, head coach Tom Thibodeau is expected to go with whichever combination gives the Knicks the best chance to win each game down the stretch and into the playoffs. It’s a good problem for an ascending Knicks team to have two quality starting centers.

But Robinson and the Knicks face a decision in the coming weeks - should he start or embrace a bench role? A dilemma born out of an enviable position of frontcourt depth.