Joe Mazzulla has a massive decision to make before the regular season even starts. The Celtics need to win, but Mitchell Robinson might be the biggest reason they lose tight games down the stretch. It is a cold truth that no fan wants to hear, but the numbers do not lie. Robinson simply cannot shoot free throws, and that flaw becomes a nightmare when the clock winds down.
The Free Throw Problem
Robinson has been a solid defender for years, but his offense is a major liability. In eight seasons with the New York Knicks, he shot just 50.8 percent from the charity stripe. Last year, that number dropped to 40.8 percent. Five complete seasons have passed with his performance remaining below the 50 percent threshold. This is not a small issue. It is a game-ending problem that Mazzulla cannot ignore.
When a team trails by two points with thirty seconds left, you do not want a 40 percent shooter on the floor. If opponents intentionally foul him, Boston risks getting inefficient possessions because Robinson converts only about half of his free throws. The math is simple. A player who misses half his free throws is a risk in “late-and-close” situations. The team cannot afford that kind of turnover in the final minute of a playoff game.
A Different Roster, A New Plan
The Celtics have added new faces to fix their problems, but they created a new one in the process. The roster around the coach is different now. Brown is gone. The Celtics added George, Mitchell Robinson, and Mike Conley. This mix gives them talent, but it also creates a logjam at the center position. Neemias Queta is there too, and he offers real value as well.
Joe Mazzulla knows the team needs to be fast. He told reporters at the first practice that balance is key. “It’s a topic that comes up every single year, and what people don’t talk about is the other side of that,” Mazzulla said. “If you do lean into that more, it’s at the expense of something else.” Pushing the pace means more possessions, but it also means more chances to miss layups and give up transition points. Robinson’s lack of shooting makes this balance even harder to strike.
Robinson himself knows the team is trying new things. He told NBC Sports Boston that they are working him in different offensive scenarios. But he has never attempted a single three-pointer in his entire career. You cannot expect a player to change his whole game overnight. He is a big man who lives in the paint. If he stays there, the Celtics must protect him from fouling him late in games.
Mazzulla has seen Robinson play many times before. Following the opening session of the initial training camp, Mazzulla noted, “I’d say two, three years ago,” as he pinpointed when he realized Robinson ranked among the top big men in the NBA. He praised his versatility on both ends of the floor. But praise does not fix the math of free throws. The coach has to decide if the defensive presence is worth the offensive risk.
The preseason opener is set for Oct. 8. The regular season kicks off on Oct. 20 against the Detroit Pistons. By then, Mazzulla must have his answer. If he keeps Robinson in for the final two minutes of close games, he is gambling with a championship. The Celtics have won 56 games without Tatum at times, but they need everyone to play their role.
