Mitchell Robinson on guarding Victor Wembanyama: I'm going to play him like a mix of Porzingis, Bol Bol

Even Robinson, who is listed at seven feet even, is giving up six inches in height to Wembanyama. “I’m not really worried about the tallness, bro,” Robinson said. “Just go out there and play hard. “I look forward to guarding anybody, that’s what this league is about. You’ve got guard. Good players, bad players, it is what it is.” -via New York Daily News / November 8, 2023

Tommy Beer: Knicks Defensive Rating now sits at 103.2, which is the second-best DefRtg in the NBA this season. New York is allowing fewer than 102 points per 100 possessions with Mitchell Robinson on the floor. -via Twitter @TommyBeer / November 7, 2023

Mitchell Robinson, consistently declared by his coach as overlooked and underappreciated by outsiders, filled the boxscore with the intangible stuff in the Knicks’ 126-120 victory over the Hawks on Friday night. Robinson’s 38 minutes produced 13 rebounds, four steals and four blocks, which didn’t go unnoticed in the postgame interviews. “I think to his teammates, the people in our organization, there’s a great appreciation because oftentimes, there’s not really a stat for that, and it’s so vital to the team,” Thibodeau said. “That’s what make everything go. So the rim protection, and then offensively the screening, and then rolling to the rim, force the defense to collapse. That’s unselfishness. And when you do that, you’re making a commitment to the team. So I know his teammates appreciate him, and certainly the coaches and our entire organization, front office. He has great value.” -via New York Post / October 28, 2023

Here’s what Paul George said on Victor Wembanyama reflecting on when he faced him during a Clippers‘ 123 – 83 win over the San Antonio Spurs: “This isn’t the first time we see a player of his size. There’s Boban [Marjanovic], there’s Bol Bol, there’s [Kristaps] Porzingis. I didn’t play in that era but there was also Manute [Bol] or Shawn Bradley, Yao Ming. What stands out with him is that you’re used to seeing them in the paint, used seeing the bigs, the 7-footers just sitting at the rim. And you’re like, I got to choose my s–t wisely when I’m going on the rim. But he’s in the perimeter. He’s dribbling it in transition. He’s in the rim, he’s not at the rim. You’re always looking to him where he’s at.” -via EuroHoops.net / November 6, 2023

Former Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal has a pretty unique relationship with big men, and by unique, I mean mostly combative and strangely competitive. But curiously enough, one center who has earned the support and admiration of The Big Aristotle is Bol Bol, the 7’2″ son of 7’7″ NBA legend Manute Bol. In his first four seasons in the NBA, Bol Bol has averaged 6.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and less than one block per game, which are the kind of numbers that ordinarily would cause Shaq to have an on-air conniption and start ranting about BBQ chicken. Instead, last night, Shaq doubled down on his love for Bol Bol, this time at the expense of Spurs rookie superstar/horror movie enthusiast Victor Wembanyama. -via Clutch Points / November 1, 2023

NBA on TNT: Shaq compared Wemby to Bol Bol and Chuck lost it 👀 -via Twitter / November 1, 2023

Tim Reynolds: Wemby after his first look at MSG: “Definitely incredible. Not as big as I expected, but still, the vibe is here.” -via Twitter @ByTimReynolds / November 8, 2023

For Wembanyama, that is the difference between his first trip to New York and this one. In June, he was here to enjoy his final few moments of pre-NBA freedom. Wednesday, he will be on the clock. Still, Wembanyama made it clear that New York will always hold a special place in his heart, even with the boo birds sure to turn against him Wednesday. After all, it is the place he at last became an NBA player. “My dream started in New York,” Wembanyama said. “So to be there again, hopefully it’s going to be a good night.” -via San Antonio Express-News / November 8, 2023