The New York Knicks are dealing with more than just another heartbreaking loss; they are now facing internal criticism from within their own circle. After a 109-108 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3, frustration boiled over publicly, as Mitchell Robinson’s trainer took aim at head coach Mike Brown, questioning both his decisions and his leadership in a tense playoff moment.
Mitchell Robinson, Mike Brown, and the Knicks Controversy
The biggest spark came from Robinson’s trainer, Marcell Scott, who didn’t hold back on Instagram:
“Knicks Coach Mike Brown is SCARED to get mad!!! He’s too nice of a guy to coach the New York Knicks!!! He would rather play OG at the 5, instead of Kat and Mitch at the 4 and 5. nice guys finish last Coach! GN.”
These words were pretty bold, yet they do mirror an increasing dissatisfaction with the way Robinson is being used. During the third game, Robinson was on the court for only 11 minutes and scored 2 points with 4 rebounds.
As a player who was trademarked for rebounding, defending the rim, and providing energy, such a disappearance was surprising, especially when it was a one-point defeat.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks, and Why the Criticism Makes Sense
GettyKnicks Karl-Anthony Towns
The criticism of Mike Brown is making a lot of sense these days. People are not just reacting emotionally; they are aware of the Knicks’ structure. Karl-Anthony Towns was magnificent in the third game with 21 points and 17 rebounds. Still, the fans are upset not about his stats, but the way things work in the Knicks alongside Mitchell Robinson.
It is true that Robinson is not a player who scores often, but his contribution is highly visible through his winning plays.
This season, he grabbed almost 9 rebounds and averaged over 1 block per game despite playing less than 20 minutes. Besides that, he gives New York a totally different defensive personality.
And yet, Brown leaned away from that identity. His pre-Game 3 stance: “The combination of [KAT and Mitch] hasn’t been great…”— was based on matchup logic. Statistically, lineups with Towns alone have been efficient offensively, even outscoring opponents significantly in earlier games.
So, when Robinson was given fewer minutes, the Knicks gave up their rim defense and added physicality to the game of spacing. This is where Marcell Scott’s words make sense. It’s more than just a matter of minutes; it’s about discarding what makes the Knicks hard to beat.
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