Tom Thibodeau usually is categorized as a defense-minded coach, however he pushed again on that label after his Knicks’ assertion win Monday night time over the Celtics on the Backyard.
“I’m very biased to successful. Oftentimes, all people is pigeonholed into one thing. You’re a defensive man. You’re an offensive man. You’re a player-development man. You’re this. You’re that, no matter it’s.
“I wish to assume I’m a basketball coach and I work for those who anticipate you to do all three,” Thibodeau stated following the Knicks’ sixth consecutive victory.
“So that they anticipated you to have the ability to coach offense, coach protection, participant improvement, game-plan, scout, consider personnel. And that’s the best way I method it.”
The Knicks (36-27) are averaging 120.7 factors whereas capturing 38 % from 3-point distance throughout their successful streak getting into their sport Wednesday towards the Nets.
In addition they rank sixth within the NBA in offensive ranking this season.
Two different Thibodeau-coached groups, the 2011-12 Bulls (fifth) and the 2017-18 Timberwolves (fourth), completed within the prime 5 within the league in that class.
“I believe having a great understanding of protection additionally helps you offensively,” Thibodeau stated. “And it provides you an thought of matchups and the way to assault sure schemes. So, I believe all that stuff helps after which having good gamers, that helps loads.”
Thibodeau’s profession observe report for participant improvement contains Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Cities and Knicks ahead Julius Randle changing into first-time All-Stars underneath his tutelage.
And Derrick Rose grew to become the youngest MVP in NBA historical past alongside Thibodeau with the Bulls in 2010-11.
Additionally, Butler and Randle each had been named the league’s Most Improved Participant whereas coached by Thibodeau. Knicks level guard Jalen Brunson could possibly be a finalist for that award this season, together with the Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen and the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Knicks signed 6-foot-3 combo guard Duane Washington Jr. to a two-way contract.
He was waived by the Suns on Feb. 1 after averaging 7.9 factors and a couple of.0 assists in 31 appearances (two begins) with Phoenix this season.
The 22-year-old Ohio State product had a 26-point, seven-assist sport in December.
