Overview
- Robinson was moved out of the starting lineup after Monday's loss to the Houston Rockets, with Neemias Queta taking the starting center role and Robinson shifted to shorter, managed stints off the bench.
- Early advanced numbers show a stark split with Robinson on the court, including large negative on/off swings and a much lower team offensive rating when he plays compared with when he sits.
- Coach Joe Mazzulla says the Celtics have deployed Robinson further from the rim to set screens and initiate plays, a schematic change the staff believes has cut into his usual offensive-rebounding production.
- Robinson acknowledged the struggle, saying, “I gotta figure it out soon,” and reporters and local coverage have raised conditioning as a possible contributing factor to his slow start.
- The Celtics signed Robinson in the offseason to a three-year deal to boost rim protection and offensive rebounding, and the team is choosing to monitor minutes and adjust schemes before considering longer-term roster moves.