NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans in action against Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 2018 in New York City. The Pelicans defeated the Knicks 123-118 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson knows the keys to success

New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson knows the keys to success by Maxwell Ogden

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New York Knicks rookie Mitchell Robinson spent a season away from organized basketball, but trained on a daily basis—including a session with Anthony Davis.

The New York Knicks selected the most enigmatic prospect in the 2018 NBA Draft. It was a polarizing decision, but at No. 36 overall, New York took a chance on former Western Kentucky Hilltoppers commit Mitchell Robinson.

Robinson was garnering lottery-level hype entering the 2017-18 college basketball season, but after he opted to forego his freshman campaign, the narrative changed.

Prior to Summer League, Robinson hadn’t played a game of organized competitive basketball since he was in high school. He instead spent the past year working to prepare for the NBA—a decision that inevitably yielded a polarizing reception.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Robinson was working six days a week to get train for the NBA—and even had a workout with Anthony Davis.

“Was an everyday thing,’’ Robinson said. “No days off. Only days off was Sunday. That’s church day, but we just grinded every day. I picked [Anthony Davis’] brain. He’s been in the league for a while now, showed me a lot of things, ins and outs.”

No one should be expected to reach Davis’ level, but the fact that Robinson managed to make an NBA connection of a superstar level is tremendous.

At 25 years of age, Davis is already a three-time All-NBA First Team honoree and a five-time All-Star. He’s also a three-time All-Defense selectee and a three-time blocks leader who has distinguished himself as an elite two-way player.

Davis also stands at 6’10” with a 7’5.5″ wingspan and a 9’0″ standing reach, which isn’t terribly different from Robinson’s measurements of 6’11”, 7’4″, and 9’3″.

Thus, if there’s anyone for Robinson to work with as he attempts to make the transition to the NBA, it certainly makes sense that it’s Davis.

As for what Robinson can learn from Davis, the aid could be twofold. Davis is an efficient offensive player who has developed range on his jump shot and a tremendous mid-post game, as well as an explosive defensive player who rebounds and blocks shots at an elite level.

Only time will tell how much Robinson will improve fundamentally, but the star potential that he possesses is undeniable.

The New York Knicks will need to be patient with Mitchell Robinson, but he’s already making impressive connections in the NBA.