Zach Lowe, Nate Duncan, and Noa Dalzell think the Celtics will or should start Mitchell Robinson over Neemias Queta to avoid Hack-a-Mitch later in quarters. Is this the first time it’s made sense to start a player (on a non tanking team) because they were especially bad at something?
On separate podcasts discussing the Celtics’ starting center position, both national analysts and their local beat reporter have said one reason to start Mitchell Robinson is to avoid the intentional fouling strategy that other teams will employ. As teams are not in the bonus to begin quarters but can be by the end.
Duncan asks Dalzell if she thinks Robinson would start for the Celtics. She says yes due to the intentional fouling and Duncan agrees. (about 20 minutes in discussing Robinson): https://open.spotify.com/episode/6l71XAMIcHL1E2M5z2jteC
In discussing potential 6th man of the year candidates, Lowe brings up Queta and his rationale for why Robinson should start (about an hour in): https://open.spotify.com/episode/2FXgrO8EGtNIims5d878qN
The rationale makes sense with the two being similar level players who will likely play similar minutes regardless. Queta might even play more due to Robinson’s minute restrictions and is more likely to close. But it’s funny to me that the tiebreaker for the starting position would come down to a player being much worse at a skill relative to the other.
Robinson is a career 50.8% free throw shooter but shot just 40.8% last season