Tom Thibodeau: The Coach Who Turned the Knicks Around

 

Tom Thibodeau: The Coach of New York Knicks

If you're a fan of the New York Knicks, you probably know who Tom Thibodeau is. He's the head coach who led the team to their first playoff appearance in eight years in his debut season. He's also the man who won the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2021, beating out other contenders like Monty Williams and Quin Snyder. But how much do you really know about Thibodeau and his coaching career? In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at his background, his coaching style, and his impact on the Knicks.

Who is Tom Thibodeau?

Tom Thibodeau, or "Thibs" as he's affectionately called by fans and players, is a New York native who grew up in New Britain, Connecticut. He played college basketball at Providence College, where he was a team captain and a defensive specialist. He graduated with a degree in history in 1981 and began his coaching career as an assistant at Salem State University.

Thibodeau worked his way up the ranks as an assistant coach in various college and NBA teams, including Harvard, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Boston Celtics. He was part of the Celtics' championship-winning staff in 2008, where he was credited for designing their elite defense.

In 2010, Thibodeau finally got his chance to be a head coach when he was hired by the Chicago Bulls. He led the Bulls to five consecutive playoff appearances, including the best record in the league in 2011 and 2012. He also coached Derrick Rose to his MVP season in 2011 and won his first NBA Coach of the Year award that same year.

In 2016, Thibodeau became the head coach and president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He reunited with Jimmy Butler, whom he coached in Chicago, and guided the Timberwolves to their first playoff berth since 2004 in 2018. However, he was fired midway through the 2018-19 season after a series of conflicts and poor results.

In 2020, Thibodeau returned to New York as the head coach of the Knicks, a team he previously served as an assistant from 1996 to 2004. He signed a five-year contract with the Knicks and vowed to restore their winning culture.

What is Thibodeau's coaching style?

Thibodeau is known for his intense, defensive-minded approach to coaching. He emphasizes hustle, effort, and toughness from his players and holds them accountable for their performance. He is also a master tactician who studies film extensively and prepares detailed game plans for each opponent.

Thibodeau's defense is based on principles such as:

- Forcing opponents to take tough shots from mid-range or beyond the arc

- Protecting the paint and limiting second-chance points

- Switching or hedging on screens to disrupt ball movement

- Applying pressure on ball handlers and denying passing lanes

- Rotating quickly and communicating effectively

Thibodeau's offense is less flashy but still effective. He relies on:

- Playing through his best players and exploiting mismatches

- Running pick-and-roll or isolation plays to create space and opportunities

- Moving the ball quickly and finding open shooters

- Attacking the rim aggressively and drawing fouls

- Utilizing bench players who can provide energy and scoring

Thibodeau has a reputation for being a players' coach who cares deeply about his team. He builds strong relationships with his players and motivates them to play hard and smart. He also gives them freedom and confidence to express themselves on the court.

How has Thibodeau impacted the Knicks?

Thibodeau has made a significant impact on the Knicks since taking over as their head coach. He has improved their defensive performance significantly, transforming them from one of the worst defensive teams in the league to one of the best. The Knicks ranked fourth in defensive rating (107.8), first in opponent points per game (104.7), first in opponent field goal percentage (44%), and first in opponent three-point percentage (33.7%) in the 2020-21 season.

Thibodeau has also developed several young players on the Knicks roster, such as Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Mitchell Robinson, and Obi Toppin. Randle had a breakout season under Thibodeau's guidance, averaging career-highs in points (24.1), rebounds (10.2), assists (6), and three-point percentage (41.1%). He also made his first All-Star appearance and won the Most Improved Player award.

Barrett improved his shooting efficiency and consistency in his second season, averaging 17.6 points on 44.1% shooting from the field and 40.1% from three. Quickley emerged as a steal in the 2020 draft, averaging 11.4 points and 2 assists as a rookie. Robinson and Toppin showed flashes of their potential as rim protectors and finishers, although they were limited by injuries.

Thibodeau also made good use of his veteran players, such as Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson, Nerlens Noel, Reggie Bullock, and Alec Burks. Rose was acquired in a trade with the Detroit Pistons in February 2021 and provided a spark off the bench for the Knicks. He averaged 14.9 points and 4.2 assists in 35 games with the Knicks and was instrumental in their playoff push.

Gibson, Noel, Bullock, and Burks were all signed as free agents in the 2020 offseason and proved to be valuable additions to the Knicks. Gibson and Noel anchored the Knicks' defense with their rebounding and shot-blocking abilities. Bullock and Burks stretched the floor with their shooting and scoring skills.

Thibodeau led the Knicks to a 41-31 record in the 2020-21 season, good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks made their first playoff appearance since 2013 and faced the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. The Knicks lost the series in five games, but they showed grit and competitiveness throughout.

What are the challenges and outlook for Thibodeau and the Knicks?

Thibodeau and the Knicks face some challenges and adjustments heading into the 2021-22 season and beyond. One of the main challenges is improving their offensive consistency and firepower. The Knicks ranked 22nd in offensive rating (110.4), 26th in points per game (107), and 27th in field goal percentage (45.6%) in the 2020-21 season.

The Knicks also struggled to score in the playoffs, averaging only 100.2 points per game on 38.4% shooting from the field and 33% from three. They lacked a reliable go-to scorer who could create his own shot and carry the offense when needed. Randle had a disappointing postseason, averaging only 18 points on 29.8% shooting from the field and 33.3% from three.

The Knicks need to address their offensive woes by adding more playmakers, shooters, and scorers to their roster. They have some cap space and draft picks to work with, as well as some trade assets. They could pursue some free agents or trade targets who could fit their system and culture, such as Kyle Lowry, Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, or Damian Lillard.

Another challenge for Thibodeau and the Knicks is staying healthy and managing their players' minutes and workload. Thibodeau is known for playing his starters heavy minutes, which could lead to fatigue or injury over time. He also tends to rely on a short rotation, which could limit the development of some of his younger players.

Thibodeau needs to balance his win-now mentality with his long-term vision for the team. He needs to trust his bench players more and give them more opportunities to contribute. He also needs to monitor his players' health and rest them when necessary.

The outlook for Thibodeau and the Knicks is optimistic, as they have a strong foundation for future success. They have a core of young players who are hungry and eager to improve. They have a coach who is passionate and experienced. They have a front office that is supportive and smart. They have a fan base that is loyal and enthusiastic.

The Knicks have shown that they are a team on the rise in the NBA. With Thibodeau at the helm, they have a chance to become a contender in the East and beyond.