There is still a place in the NBA for players like Robinson to be building blocks of the modern NBA.
Watch the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat surprise. Although the franchise has a deep and talented roster that includes an All-Star in Jimmy Butler, there is no doubt that the Bam Adebayo center is a key piece of the puzzle. For the record, Adebayo is the league’s best current combination of size, rim protection and perimeter defensive capability. I think Robinson will one day reach his level.
Rudy Gobert in Utah is another center of the All-Star caliber who makes a big difference to his team. Indeed, it could be argued that Jazz’s perennial post-season satisfaction would be a lottery-level team without its ability to anchor defense and compliment Donovan Mitchell.
While infinitely more offensively gifted than Robinson, Lakers superstar Anthony Davis also has a monstrously noticeable impact on the defensive side.