Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks

The Knicks’ Center Problem Might Cost Them the Title

August 22, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

“If Josh Hart is being guarded on the perimeter, it doesn’t really matter to me who’s on the other team. The Knicks are going to win that series.” That line from the Locked On Knicks podcast captures the confidence surrounding the defending champions, but the episode that follows is anything but complacent. Hosts Gavin Shaw and XJ run an “anxiety draft,” picking the threats—from roster construction to rival moves—that could deny the Knicks a second straight title. The throughline is clear: the Knicks’ biggest vulnerabilities are internal, but the Eastern Conference is sharpening its teeth.

Mitchell Robinson and the Celtics’ Luck-Elimination Strategy

The most immediate threat is Mitchell Robinson—now a Celtic. Boston’s approach has long been to shoot a high volume of threes, but that strategy is subject to variance: a cold shooting night can lose a series. The Celtics’ solution, as XJ explains, is to “remove the aspect of luck” by adding elite offensive rebounders like Robinson, one of the greatest in NBA history. More shots mean a larger sample, which means the Celtics are more likely to hit their actual shooting percentages. Robinson’s offensive boards, combined with Paul George’s turnover generation, give Boston extra possessions that turn threes from a gamble into a statistical inevitability.

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What you'll learn

1 (03:49) **Mitchell Robinson as a Celtic Threat** - XJ argues that Mitchell Robinson on the Celtics is a major threat because his elite offensive rebounding removes variance from Boston's three-point-heavy offense.
2 (05:53) **Can KAT Handle Mitch?** - Gavin and XJ debate whether Karl-Anthony Towns has the size and strength to box out Mitchell Robinson, a matchup they are fascinated to see in the early season.
3 (07:12) **Mitch's Declining Impact & The "Hack-a-Mitch" Factor** - The hosts discuss how Mitchell Robinson's postseason performance was notably down from previous years, questioning if age, injury, or the "Hack-a-Mitch" strategy is diminishing his value.
4 (10:47) **Losing Mitch Hurts Against Embiid** - Gavin argues that the Knicks will miss Mitchell Robinson's specific defensive ability against Joel Embiid, as KAT will inevitably get into foul trouble in that series.
5 (14:32) **The Knicks' Third Center Problem** - Gavin picks the Knicks' inability to find a reliable third center as a major threat, citing a league-wide "center arms race" that has left them flat-footed with little leverage.
6 (18:56) **The Deuce McBride Dilemma** - Gavin speculates that Deuce McBride is "as good as gone" because teams will demand significant value in return for a center, forcing the Knicks to give up a key asset.
7 (20:03) **Cavaliers' Hypothetical Trey Murphy Trade** - XJ outlines a scenario where the Cavs trade Evan Mobley for Trey Murphy, creating a devastating starting five that could be the biggest threat in the East.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

The New York Knicks face daunting questions as a repeat NBA championship hangs in the balance. Will the absence of a reliable backup big man expose their vulnerabilities, or can Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond hold down the paint? The stakes are raised as Mitchell Robinson’s impact with the Boston Celtics now looms as a major threat, while Cleveland Cavaliers’ potential moves and a fearsome Toronto Raptors core with Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes could reshape the Eastern Conference hierarchy.

Gavin Schall and XJ scrutinize the Knicks’ roster depth, center market dynamics, and high-level Eastern Conference threats like Joel Embiid’s resurgent Philadelphia 76ers. The conversation dives into strategic experimentation, playoff-tested lineups, and the crucial need for flexibility in Mike Brown’s offensive approach.

Can Leon Rose outmaneuver rival GMs in a league-wide center arms race? Get the latest analysis on the Knicks’ championship defense, their toughest obstacles, and what must happen to keep the repeat dream alive.

00:00 — Will the center problem cost the Knicks?

01:57 — What if Mitchell Robinson crushes the Knicks on the boards?

12:50 — What if New York can't find a third center?

17:50 — What if the Cavs trade Mobley for Trey Murphy?

22:29 — What if Scottie Barnes makes a leap?

27:28 — What if the Knicks spend the season running their playoff offense?

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher; Brad Penner - Imagn Images

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