Signing a lucrative contract with a new franchise usually begins with a grace period. Mitchell Robinson skipped that stage entirely. Just days after agreeing to a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Boston Celtics, the former Knicks big man found himself taking shots with his new fan base. His reply made one thing clear: he isn’t sorry for the Celtics’ 2025 playoff struggle.

As the Celtics continue to welcome their new additions via IG, the team also made a post for Robinson. The caption read, “Big country takes on Boston.” A fan replied, “He better be great, otherwise he’ll be remembered for missing two free throws against us.”

The comment was a direct challenge- a fan essentially warning Robinson that greatness is the only acceptable standard in Boston, and anything less would define his legacy there. The reigning NBA Champion didn’t let that comment slide.

“That’s cool still sent that a– home, remember that,” he replied, reminding the Celtics fans that the Knicks eliminated the C’s in the 2025 Eastern Conference semi-finals. Robinson’s clap back was his way of taking a shot right back at the Celtics fan base – making clear he doesn’t need to audition for respect when he already has a championship ring. That confidence is a testament to NY’s historic win.

Mitchell Robinson arrived in Boston after spending 8 seasons with the Knicks, right from his rookie year. He played a vital role off the bench in the Knicks’ title run. Most importantly, he delivered one of the biggest plays of the Finals, securing a title-clinching offensive rebound in the final seconds of Game 5. 

That ended the 53-year-old championship drought. And it gave the big man every reason to defend his playoff resume.

Still, Robinson’s elite rim protection skills come at a price. And the fan’s criticism appeared rooted in his weakness.

During the 2025 semifinal series, the Celtics repeatedly targeted Robinson’s struggles at the charity stripe. He shot 45.2% from the line.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla adopted the Hack-a-Shaq strategy, intentionally sending Mitch to the stripe instead of allowing the Knicks to find their offensive rhythm.

Interestingly, Mazzulla didn’t restrict the strategy to close games.

He used that strategy even during blowout games. Explaining the usage, he later said, “Process over results.” The quote captures Mazzulla’s mindset – he wasn’t just chasing wins in the moment, he was deliberately targeting Robinson’s free-throw weakness as a pressure tactic, which is the exact flaw the fan referenced in his “better be great” comment.

Meaning, he only wanted to disrupt the Knicks’ offense and also mentally test Robinson.

The strategy produced mixed results. 

Mitchell Robinson did suffer at the line. Especially in Game 3, he shot 4-12 from the line, leaving the Knicks with an embarrassing stat line of  68.6% from the line. However, the Knicks managed to advance past the series with a thumping 4-2 win.

That is what makes this offseason move so unusual.

The 7-foot-tall big man now joins the very franchise that spent an entire playoff series exposing his biggest flaw. The same fan base that cheered for his every missed free throw will root for him to take the C’s to championship contention again. 

Both fans and the star have to reach common ground before they begin this journey. Fans know Robinson’s value as a rim protector. But also remember his limitation that Mazzulla gravely exploited only a year ago. 

For now, Robinson isn’t backing away from his rich Knicks past.

The Celtics have an entirely new roster following the exit of Jaylen Brown. They already have the pressure to prove to the world that their calculations are right. Amid this, the last thing they want is for their fan base to hate on their fresh addition.