Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson’s Instagram comment stirs the pot

To start or not to start. That is the question.

Mitchell Robinson’s return from December ankle surgery is getting closer by the day, and the starting Knicks big man created a mini-controversy over his position in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation with a comment he made on an Instagram post-Sunday afternoon.

A Knicks social media fan page posted a graphic of Robinson alongside Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, OG Anunoby and Julius Randle as a healthy Knicks starting five on March 4.

Two weeks later, Robinson commented under the post: “I’ll rather come off the bench maybe I can show more” with a shrug emoji.

The idea of Robinson coming off the bench isn’t as concerning as his rationale.

After all, there’s ample tape showing just how dominant the starting Knicks center is when he’s healthy on the court on a consistent basis.

Robinson is a ferocious rebounder, shot-blocker, lob-finisher and screen-setter, a perpetual Defensive Player of the Year dark horse contestant anchoring the paint for the Knicks on both ends of the floor.

New York’s next-man-up mentality, however, can breed a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately environment.

And lately, Isaiah Hartenstein has been steady at center for the Knicks, though he’s dealing with a recurring left Achilles injury of his own.

The Knicks have believed since the beginning of the season they have owned the best one-two punch at the center spot in all of basketball.

The question: Who’s one and who’s two?

THE CASE FOR ROBINSON

Robinson was the unquestioned starter at the beginning of the season, even when it became clear Hartenstein was the best backup five in the league at the time.

He’s been the full-time starter at the center for the Knicks for four seasons in a row and is a home-grown product as the Knicks’ 36th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Robinson has consistently ranked among the league’s best offensive rebounders over the past three seasons. In fact, he still leads the NBA in offensive rebounds per game (5.3) and ranks 41st in total offensive rebounds despite not playing in a game since Dec. 8.

Robinson’s vertical leap adds a lob threat dimension the Knicks haven’t often used with Hartenstein, Precious Achiuwa or Jericho Sims. And he’s a shot-blocking savant whose paint prowess doesn’t always show up in the box score: He deters drivers from attempting shots at the rim altogether.

It’s hard to envision opposing offenses effectively game-planning for a Knicks defensive front featuring both Anunoby and Robinson when the seven-footer returns to the floor.

If you start Robinson immediately when he’s cleared to play, you fast-track his ability to build chemistry with Anunoby in the starting lineup.

The Knicks traded for the former Raptors star on Dec. 31, three weeks after Robinson’s injury in Boston against the Celtics. He has yet to play minutes with Anunoby, one of the most integral components to a deep playoff run in New York.

In fact, Robinson…