Thibodeau getting the most out of his players once again
Achilles pain would destroy the good vibes. It didn’t.
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 it’s hard to fathom better results from a different coach. And despite being under constant surveillance by the Minutes Police, Thibodeau’s Knicks rosters have been among the most healthy and available, with Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett playing in a combined 91.4 percent of their combined games under the coach.
I’ve 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, isn’t the best NBA coach because he won two titles with LeBron James. He’s the best because he made Hassan Whiteside look like a star and Tyler Johnson worthy of a $50 million contract.
I’m not dismissing Steve Kerr’s accomplishments but we saw what happened when he didn’t 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.
Thibodeau finished fourth in the East three years ago with a rotation that included Elfrid Payton, Nerlens Noel, Gibson, Derrick Rose, Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Alec Burks and Reggie Bullock.
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.
Randle.
That’s it.
Now Thibodeau’s 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.
Hartenstein? Best of his career.
Robinson? Best of his career until the injury.
Donte DiVincenzo? Best of his career.
This stuff doesn’t happen without the touch of a great — and tirelessly focused — coach.