Knicks’ latest success stories don’t happen without Tom Thibodeau
You listen to Tom Thibodeau long enough, as I have, and you wonder if theres ever a moment he sits down to enjoy an accomplishment. Heck, even God rested on the seventh day.
But relaxation is difficult when, as the coach often repeats from his Book of Thibs-isms, Everything is a concern.
So right after the Knicks blew out the defending champions Thursday night for their fifth straight win really annihilated the Nuggets, by the way Thibodeau was already worried about overlooking some underdog opponent down the road.
I know for you guys, thats something that we beat the defending champs, he said in his postgame presser, adding later, You let up just a little bit, everyone tends to look at a schedule like, You should win this game. No, theres no, You should win. You have to earn your wins. You cant overlook anybody. The challenge is to continue to build and not feel good about yourself.
Therapists might disagree and that sounds like a miserable existence. But it works in the NBA as long as the players are buying in. And for 3 seasons the longest-tenured head coach on a Knicks sideline since Mike DAntoni Thibodeau has pushed enough of the right buttons to maintain the rosters attention and his employment in the most volatile of job positions.
4Tom Thibodeau coaches during the Knicks’ win against the Nets earlier this week. Charles WenzelbergIt helps, of course, when the unofficial captain, Jalen Brunson, is like-minded in focus. Thibodeau couldve only asked for a better and more compatible leader if Taj Gibson suddenly grew superstar skills.
But its gone beyond the dogged effort and preparation that hasdefined Thibodeaus career. The Knicks are trying hard but theyre more than just try-hards. Theyre the product of development and a plug-and-play system that has maximized performances up and down the roster. Almost seven weeks ago we were wondering if New Yorks defense would crater without Mitchell Robinson. It didnt. Then we were wondering if Isaiah Hartensteins Achilles pain would destroy the good vibes. It didnt.
Plug and play. We understand any hesitancy to believe fully in Thibs or sign him to an extension until playoff success is attained (his 31-41 postseason record is the career pockmark), but its hard to fathom better results from a different coach.
4Jalen Brunson has produced some of the best numbers of his career this season. Charles Wenzelberg
4OG Anunoby has sparked Tom Thibodeau’s lineup since the Knicks acquired him from the Raptors. Charles WenzelbergIve always maintained that the hallmark of the best NBA coaches is when they win with different roster iterations and elevate ceilings of young role players. Erik Spoelstra, whose Heat the Knicks face Saturday at MSG, isnt the best NBA coach because he won two titles with LeBron James. Hes the best because he made Hassan Whiteside look like a star and Tyler Johnson worthy of a $50 million contract.
Im not dismissing Steve Kerrs accomplishments but we saw what happened when he didnt have Steph Curry, Klay Thompson or Kevin Durant the Warriors went 15-50 that season. Gregg Popovich is the smartest guy in every room (just ask him) but his record since Tim Duncan retired is 285-312.
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Check out more newslettersThibodeau finished fourth in the East three years ago with a rotation that included Elfrid Payton, Nerlens Noel, Gibson, Derrick Rose, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Alec Burks and Reggie Bullock.
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Tom Thibodeau has rebuilt the Knicks now he deserves an extension
All of them are gone. Three of them are out of the league. In fact, only one of the 12 players who appeared in the 2021 playoffs for the Knicks is still on the roster.
Julius Randle.
Thats it.
Now Thibodeaus team is back in the fourth spot of the Eastern Conference, surging with a group with reimagined ceilings, both collectively and individually.
Up and down the roster, players are enjoying elevated seasons.
Brunson? Best of his career.
Randle? Evolved into greater efficiency.
OG Anunoby? Small sample size, but best of his career.
4Julius Randle is the only player from the 2021 playoffs who’s still on the Knicks’ roster. Charles WenzelbergHartenstein? Best of his career.
Robinson? Best of his career until the injury.
Donte DiVincenzo? Best of his career.
This stuff doesnt happen without the touch of a great and tirelessly focused coach.
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