The New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau is famously known for making his players play heavy minutes. The HC mainly relies on his starting lineup for the most amount of games. In fact, the Knicks’ starters lead the league in most minutes played with 181.5 per game. As this might take a toll on the players, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett called out Thibs on their podcast.
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are both well aware of Tom Thibodeau‘s coaching style as Thibs was an assistant coach for the Celtics. Regardless of the wins, KG and Pierce believed that the Knicks averaging more points per game is also not healthy. According to the duo, the HC has to start relying more on his bench as it might have long-term effects on the starters. “I think he gets stubborn… sometimes he’s just stuck in his ways,” Paul Pierce said.
No one’s told Thibs. Including the players. If I’m Karl Anthony Towns, a big body, I pull Thibs in the room.
Kevin Garnett added
Garnett believes that Karl-Anthony Towns and the other starters need to talk about these issues with their coach. The Celtics duo might be right considering KAT recently got injured in the game against the Detroit Pistons. KAT is currently playing an essential role for the Knicks and his absence might lead to poor consequences.
New York… we might have a problem. 😟
Can the Knicks overcome their depth limitations, and Coach Thibs’ demanding approach, to avoid derailing their championship dreams? pic.twitter.com/0KFTTN02d0
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) January 17, 2025
Pierce and KG’s opinion also makes sense bearing in mind their last season. After having an incredible regular season run, half of the Knicks were not healthy in the postseason. This resulted in the team losing to the Pacers in the second round. The Knicks coach has to have a better plan to not repeat the same mistake.
Karl-Anthony Towns defended Tom Thibodeau about playing minutes
Paul Pierce believes that the Knicks need to add more key players in order for the starters to catch a break. KG remembering his experience with Thibodeau was not happy with the coach’s exhausting way of playing. However, another player who has previously played with Thibs disagreed.
Before joining the New York team earlier this year, KAT played with the Minnesota Timberwolves since 2015. The next year, Thibodeau started as the head coach of Wolves and was there for four years. Hence, Towns has tons of experience playing under Thibs, as he has no issue being on the court for 40+ minutes.
I feel like ya’ll give him flak all the time. No matter where he is. But y’all keep talking about him and that means he keeps getting a job and that means everyone keeps respecting him and knowing what he can do for a team
Karl-Anthony Towns said
KAT on Thibs and criticism the coach gets for too many minutes:
“I feel like ya’ll give him flack all the time. No matter where he is. But y’all keep talking about him and that means he keeps getting a job and that means everyone keeps respecting him and knowing what he can do…
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) January 9, 2025
The records show that KAT was right. After joining both the Timberwolves and the Knicks, Thibodeau has made the teams better by taking them to the playoffs after many years. But despite that, the coach has yet to reach the finals by taking the teams beyond the second round.
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