The New York Knicks, with their backs pressed against the wall in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, decided to switch things up.
All season long, head coach Tom Thibodeau would start Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Down in the series 0-2, the Knicks swapped in Mitchell Robinson for Hart, hoping he would provide some defense and rebounding.
While the first half didn't go so well for New York, they bounced back, winning 106-100. The lineup change gave the San Antonio Spurs a perfect example of how they need to build their roster with Victor Wembanyama.
Victor Wembanyama
Dec 25, 2024; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots over New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden.
© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Robinson finished with only an efficient six points and six rebounds, but his rim detterance did not go unappriciated and he grabbed three offensive boards, and was needed as Towns found himself in early foul trouble.
Towns would go on to score 20 fourth-quarter points, but until the final 12 minutes, he was a non-factor in the game.
While the Spurs have been linked to Dylan Harper, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, they need a backup center. Robinson is far from a perfect player; he is not a good scorer and is a total liability at the free-throw line, but he is an excellent backup who can slot into the starting five next to or in place of Towns.
The Spurs, as evidenced by their lack of success without Wembanayma this season, desperately need a backup center. Draft prospects like Derik Queen, Thomas Sorber, and Maxime Raynaud stand out, as do free agents like Clint Capela and Brook Lopez.
When Wembanyama is off the court, the Spurs need to be able to hold their own in the paint, and when they finally make the playoffs, having two shot-blockers and rebounders in the same lineup cannot be overstated. Just look at how the Knicks managed to finally win a game against Indiana.
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