Jalen Brunson makes strong Tom Thibodeau statement ahead of playoffs

Tom Thibodeau has labored with loads of gamers and coaches all through a protracted NBA profession that has introduced him to seven groups. However few know him higher — and have identified him longer — than Jalen Brunson. 

And few are greater supporters of Thibodeau than the Knicks’ star. 

So with outdoors noise rising louder about Thibodeau probably teaching for his job within the playoffs, Brunson strongly backed his coach. 

“He means a lot,” Brunson stated after observe Friday. “Individually, he’s meant a lot to my career. He’s meant a decent amount to [Karl-Anthony Towns], coaching KAT in Minnesota and here. There’s a lot of players who can say they’ve definitely benefited from Tom Thibodeau in his career. But I think as a team, we’re always in a position where we can compete in the postseason since I’ve been here. He’s very prepared. He’s a very prepared individual. He’s done a lot for my career, so I’m always going to be a supporter. Always. Even when he annoys me. Always.” 

Thibodeau, in his fifth season because the Knicks’ head coach, has but to steer them previous the second spherical of the playoffs.

He helped flip round a perennially bottom-feeding franchise, however there might be an more and more vocal portion of the fan base that can name for him to be fired or need him on the new seat if the Knicks underperform this postseason. 

“I don’t pay attention to any of that stuff,” Thibodeau stated Friday. “I just worry about the series. That’s all I worry about.” 

Brunson’s father, Rick, a Knicks assistant, and Thibodeau share a protracted historical past collectively.

Thibodeau served as an assistant coach with the Knicks from 1996-2003, and Rick Brunson performed two-plus seasons for the staff from 1998-2000.

Brunson was born two years prior in 1996 and spent ample time across the staff as a baby. Later, Rick Brunson served as an assistant on Thibodeau’s workers with each the Bulls and Timberwolves earlier than reuniting with the Knicks. 

Thibodeau actually has seen Brunson develop up. 

“Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions. I’m a big Thibs supporter,” Jalen Brunson stated. “That’s just who I am. That’s just what I’ll be.” 

A typical criticism about Thibodeau is that he’s caught in his methods and hesitant to vary, significantly in his method to workloads and on-court philosophy. However Brunson has a special perspective. 

“I’ve seen him evolve a lot,” Brunson stated. “I vaguely remember him when I was younger, seeing him coach and then seeing him at Minnesota and then seeing him now. I think he’s evolved a lot. Having in-depth conversations with him, obviously about basketball but also non-basketball stuff, the way we can connect helps us on the court. It’s been fun. “It’s just the way he’s been able to push me and make sure I’m not satisfied. I could go on and on about that. Our relationship has evolved. We’re more direct. We talk to each other. I wouldn’t want it any other way.” 

Knicks followers unable to get tickets for Sport 1 can be a part of a watch celebration on a big outside display screen outdoors of MSG. 

The free occasion, the primary of its form for a Knicks recreation, begins at 4 p.m. on thirty third Road with a block celebration, which incorporates appearances from Latrell Sprewell, Larry Johnson and Marcus Camby. Tip-off is 6 p.m.