New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau is a polarizing figure. He’s been in the news often over the past few weeks, and is always a controversial coach for Knicks fans. Just last week, he had a public “spat” with Mikal Bridges over the heavy minutes he puts on his starters. While the two of them worked it out, and Bridges and the Knicks have played better since, the incident was still more proof that Thibs always comes with baggage. He’s undoubtedly a phenomenal basketball mind and a well-respected coach. However, the question that many have asked is: can he lead your team to a championship trophy?
Can Tom Thibodeau Take the Knicks to the Promised Land?
Tom Thibodeau is in the midst of his 13th season as a head coach. He’s led three different squads, beginning with five seasons as the headman for Chicago, then three in Minnesota, and is now in his fifth as the guy for the Knicks. He has a career .580 win percentage, which is sixth among active coaches who have done it for more than three seasons. This year will mark the 10th time he’s made the playoffs in his 13 campaigns.
Quite simply, he’s one of the best coaches in the league. Thibs is known for his defensive brilliance and motivational style. He resonates with his players extremely well, as long as he gets guys who are willing to put in the work it takes to win. However, he has his weaknesses. Will they prevent him from ever hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy, or will his strengths win out for this current Knicks core?
Arguments For Thibs
The argument in favor of Thibodeau eventually being a championship coach is simple: he’s a basketball lifer and addict who is the consummate winner. He may not always have the most talent, but he’s almost always put a competent basketball product on the floor. He’s posted winning seasons in 10 of his 13 years, despite having several undermanned rosters. His work with the 2020-21 Knicks, which earned him his second Coach of the Year honors, was particularly impressive.
Injuries Have Robbed Him
Although he’s only won six playoff series and been to just one Eastern Conference Finals, it’s hard to blame any of that on Thibodeau specifically. His run with the Bulls ended after making the East Finals in his first year as a head coach (2011) when Derrick Rose tore his ACL in the first round of the following year. That Chicago core was never the same, but Thibs kept them competitive for three more years and even won two more playoff series.
His tenure as Wolves coach ended after just two and a half seasons, but he turned around an ailing Knicks franchise in his very first year. It cannot be understated how he has changed the outlook of one of the NBA’s most iconic but beleaguered organizations. They’re about to make the postseason for the fourth time in his five years, which is no small feat. It shouldn’t be ignored amid a search for a championship in New York. Even last year, his chance at a Conference Finals bid was ruined by cluster injuries at the worst time. Some blame his minutes strategies for Rose’s injuries or those Knicks’ troubles, but most of them were just bad luck.
It remains to be seen whether he can get it done with this current Knicks core. History tells us we shouldn’t count him out.
Arguments Against Thibs
Minutes
Two main concerns cloud experts’ judgment on whether Thibodeau is the right man to chase a championship. First, and most obviously, the minutes debate. While I do believe he needs to stop being so rigid and adjust some of his strategies when it comes to the burdens he puts on players, it is also an overblown issue. Thibs needs to prioritize rest more, especially in meaningless games throughout the season. He must stop leaving starters in when the team is ahead by 20-plus points late in games. He should be more careful of nursing injuries during the 82-game gauntlet. Thibodeau needs to have his teams fresher by the postseason, just as all of the other contenders do.
However, the notion that he causes players to get injured is extremely silly. During his Knicks tenure, the team has actually been extremely healthy in four of his five seasons. Only 2023-24 featured bad injuries, and most of those were simply freak accidents. In fact, before Brunson turned his ankle in Los Angeles, New York had been the healthiest squad in the NBA. So, yes, Thibodeau needs to rethink his philosophy on preparing his team for the playoffs. With that said, he is not damaging his players as much as it may seem.
Modern Offense
The other worry about the 67-year-old’s ability to lead a title team is whether he has a grip on modern offensive basketball. Boston, Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Golden State, and Los Angeles all seem to have coaches who understand the importance of spacing and minimizing shooting weaknesses in their lineups. We’ve seen this in his refusal to sit Josh Hart and Precious Achiuwa for Miles McBride despite their shooting struggles. Far too often, Thibodeau sticks with “his guys”, who bring toughness and energy rather than maximizing offensive production. For the Knicks to win a championship soon, he must optimize their lineups for the modern game.
Photo credit: © Soobum Im-Imagn Images
The post Can Tom Thibodeau Take the Knicks to the Promised Land? appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.