Way back in 2017, after a disappointing season where his young Minnesota Timberwolves struggled by losing numerous double-digit leads, coach Tom Thibodeau clearly identified the problem.
Thibodeau stated at the time that after reviewing game footage, he concluded the team lacked toughness. He emphasized that a key offseason goal was to address and improve this aspect.
Thibodeau believed that one quick solution to make the team tougher was to bring in players who embodied that quality. While many teams were adopting load management to conserve star players for the playoffs, the Timberwolves took a different approach. They actively sought players known for their durability and stamina.
Thibodeau proudly noted that the previous year, three of the league`s 17 players who participated in all 82 games were on his team. He added that they had signed two more players, Jamal Crawford and Jeff Teague, who also played every game. He saw this as a significant move towards building a tougher team.
These signings were in addition to acquiring Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, known for their resilience, both of whom had previously played all 82 games in a season under Thibodeau with the Chicago Bulls.
Now, eight years later with the Knicks, Thibodeau`s core philosophy remains unchanged. The long-standing debate about his heavy reliance on key players continues.
This season, the Knicks stand out for giving their bench the least playing time and receiving the fewest points from them in the league. Data from ESPN Research shows that it`s been nearly four decades since a team leading the NBA in minutes played by starters reached the NBA Finals; the last instance being the 1986-87 Boston Celtics.
Thibodeau`s approach to player workload is a divisive issue among Knicks supporters. Despite this, he has guided the team to their most consistent success in 25 years, and recently tied Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley for fourth place in team wins.
Thibodeau maintains that championship-level teams need to cultivate resilience and mental fortitude throughout the season. However, his demanding, win-at-all-costs philosophy raises a critical question about whether this heavy reliance on starters might lead to burnout when they need peak performance in crucial moments.
Thibodeau commented last week that every team must determine its own path and strategy.
FOR MOST TEAMS, comments about playing time wouldn`t raise alarms.
However, in New York, where starters have consistently played more minutes than on any other team and where key players have often been injured come playoff time, Mikal Bridges` remarks about player fatigue were significant. Bridges, who leads the league in minutes played and has played every game in his seven-year career, voiced concerns that resonated deeply.
Bridges mentioned to reporters last month in Portland that playing excessive minutes can be physically taxing. He suggested that the team`s depth was sufficient to allow bench players to contribute more, reducing the need for starters to play nearly the entire game. He pointed out that this could benefit both the team`s offense and defense by ensuring players are fresher.
Interestingly, the controversy seemed to subside later that night when Bridges, playing his 41st minute, made a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer against the Blazers in overtime. Nonetheless, Bridges, a relatively new Knick, publicly suggesting potential player overuse was noteworthy.
Even if other Knicks players haven`t been as outspoken as Bridges, the data clearly indicates that the team`s reliance on starters is unusually high compared to the rest of the league.
When Jalen Brunson suffered an ankle sprain in overtime against the Lakers about a month prior, the Knicks had three of the top four players in the NBA in minutes played: Bridges at No. 1, Josh Hart at No. 2, and Brunson at No. 4. Even with Brunson`s absence, the Knicks` starting lineup has played 885 minutes together, significantly more than any other team in the league.
If Bridges and Hart maintain their positions as first and second in total minutes played this season, it would mark the third time in Thibodeau`s coaching career that two of his players led the league in minutes. Remarkably, in the NBA`s 79-year history, this has only happened in two other seasons outside of Thibodeau`s teams.
Thibodeau defends his strategy by explaining that he needs to play his wing players extensively because many of the league`s top players, like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown of the Celtics, are wing players who handle the ball frequently and pose a significant scoring threat, especially as potential playoff opponents.
He stated that his aim is to maintain defensive matchups against these key players, noting that in today`s NBA, top wing players routinely play 36 to 37 minutes per game. He considers Bridges and Hart as primary wing defenders and emphasizes the necessity of their high minutes.
Some might argue that the Knicks` slow pace of play mitigates the impact of high minutes. However, their starters` exertion levels might be higher than they appear.
Brunson leads the league in ball possession time, averaging 8.7 minutes per game, and also leads in clutch baskets. Hart, known for his physicality, constantly dives for loose balls, leading the league in recovered loose balls this season.
Bridges` defensive role requires him to navigate through a league-high 25 screens per game. NBA tracking data reveals that this season, Bridges has covered significantly more distance than key guards on potential playoff teams.
This context highlights why games where the Knicks can build large leads and rest starters are so important.
In a game against the Charlotte Hornets, despite a significant lead, key players still logged heavy minutes. Hart played 38 minutes, and Bridges played almost the entire game.
Thibodeau defends his approach to keeping starters in even with large leads by recalling a game where, as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets, he witnessed Tracy McGrady score 13 points in 35 seconds to secure an improbable comeback victory for San Antonio.
Thibodeau argues that in the NBA, no lead is ever truly safe, drawing on his past experiences to justify his strategy.
OG Anunoby`s return for Game 7 of the 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals was highly anticipated. However, it became evident early in the game that he was not fully recovered from a hamstring injury.
Analyst Doris Burke pointed out during the broadcast that Anunoby`s movement was clearly restricted, especially on defense.
Shortly after, Anunoby was unable to effectively close out on a three-point attempt, leading to a timeout and his removal from the game just five minutes in. This marked the end of his season.
The situation worsened for the Knicks as Brunson also suffered a hand fracture in the second half, adding to an already lengthy injury list.
Despite the Pacers setting a Game 7 record for field goal percentage to defeat New York, Thibodeau praised his team`s effort, stating they had given everything they had.
Critics of Thibodeau often point to a history of injuries during his coaching tenures, including his time with the Bulls. The Knicks` 2023 playoff run was also hampered by injuries to key players.
Defending Thibodeau`s approach, it`s noted that the Knicks` bench depth isn`t as strong as in previous years. However, there are signs that the team`s playing style might be evolving.
Brunson`s recent absence due to injury might have provided him with valuable rest before the playoffs. There were indications that the Knicks were perhaps overly reliant on Brunson, who at the time of his injury, accounted for a significant percentage of the team`s clutch points.
In Brunson`s absence, Anunoby and Bridges have increased their scoring output. The Knicks` defense has also improved in Brunson`s absence.
Whether these adjustments, along with a rested Brunson, will be enough to close the gap with the top teams in the East remains uncertain.
Ultimately, Thibodeau`s approach reflects his coaching philosophy.
Thibodeau believes there`s no single right or wrong approach, but rather what a coach believes is best for their team.