BOSTON — The NBA is a results-based league, and teams, fans, and basketball pundits prefer to see these results instantly. That's been the case with Boston Celtics center Mitchell Robinson, who came over from the reigning champion New York Knicks during the offseason and arrived with high expectations. So far, Robinson hasn't lived up to that hype, but Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the need for patience with his newest big man.
Before and after the Celtics' 109-102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, Mazzulla fielded multiple questions pertaining to Robinson's slow start. The veteran center is averaging 5.7 points (on 63 percent shooting) per game to go along with 5.3 rebounds, which would be his worst numbers on the glass
in his nine-year career if the season ended today. But, the C's still have 74 games remaining in the regular season, so Mazzulla isn't fretting.
"When a guy changes a role and expectations change, it just takes a little bit of time," Mazzulla said at the podium on Wednesday evening. "I think the greatest thing that you can give a guy like Mitch, who's been in the league for nine years and played on a championship team and decided to come to our team, is to empower them and to ask more of them. That just takes a little bit of time."
Robinson was a key part of the Knicks' championship core last postseason, however, they weren't asking him to move around as much as the Celtics are. Boston has the 28-year-old screening constantly and in the middle of a lot of offensive actions, making his roaming role crucial to the Green Team's success.
"When you're relied upon in a different way and you have a level of empowerment, it's not just a tactical adjustment that you have to make," Mazzulla described of the changes that come with Robinson's increased responsibilities. "You have to make a mental and a psychological (adjustment)."
The physical adjustment has proven difficult for Robinson early on. The 7-footer mostly plays in short stints and often looks winded after a few minutes. Yet, if Mazzulla didn't think Robinson could handle it, the Celtics wouldn't have signed him in the summer or made him a starter in five of the seven contests he's suited up for.
"It's really more of a compliment because he's one of the best rebounders of all-time, so any (time) there's a little bit of a dip we all have to hit the panic button," Mazzulla said of the worry stemming from Robinson's sluggish beginnings in Beantown. "It's just not the case. His process has been great and he'll continue to be better and better for us."
Mitchell Robinson says he appreciates Joe Mazzulla’s hard coaching:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) October 15, 2026
“He gets on my ass…I don't take no hard feelings to it. I embrace it and make adjustments.” pic.twitter.com/wWycQnAhlb
Although Robinson recorded just 3 points in his most recent outing against the Bucks, he corralled a season-high 10 rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. That's the kind of impact the Celtics expect from an experienced big known for his prowess on the boards.
"Mitch's process towards rebounding has been consistent for us throughout the season," Mazzulla stated. "He played great tonight...You saw the best version of him. And...he's not getting the results that he might have been getting from a rebounding standpoint, but the process of what he was doing has always relatively been there."
As Robinson continues to share the court with the Celtics, perhaps he'll settle into things and make good on Mazzulla's patience. His next opportunity to prove his new coach right will be on Friday night when the 6-2 C's face the 3-6 Charlotte Hornets on the road as part of NBA Cup group play.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Joe Mazzulla shows Boston Celtics center Mitchell Robinson patience amid sluggish start
