Tom Thibodeau sounded stunned his buddy and former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy thought it could be a nasty concept if the Knicks made the play-in match. They have been three video games out of the tenth spot with 23 video games to go getting into Friday’s contest in opposition to Miami.
On ESPN Radio, Van Gundy, now a high broadcaster, stated at the beginning of the All-Star break that the Knicks getting the tenth slot within the Jap Convention could be idiot’s gold.
“I really like Thibodeau and wish the Knicks to have success, however long-term I’m unsure making the play-in could be an excellent factor for them as a result of it could give them a false sense of phantasm that they’re nearer to being an excellent workforce than they are surely,’’ Van Gundy stated. “I feel the very best factor that may occur to them is to understand how far they need to go.’’
Van Gundy has by no means believed in tanking — and it’s unclear he was suggesting that — however Thibodeau nonetheless appeared bewildered by his former boss’ take.
When requested if he’s stunned Van Gundy would go there, Thibodeau stated, “That’s one thing that I'd anticipate from you [the media].’’
“For me and for our workforce, we’ve obtained to deal with at present, preparing for the sport and maintain shifting ahead,’’ Thibodeau added. “Clearly, you wish to do the very best which you could. After which for you guys that’s what your job is, you do all of the speculating, what ought to occur, what we should always do? That’s the great thing about the sport. For us, we’ve obtained to lock in, we’ve obtained to do the very best that we will and I consider we have now greater than sufficient to get it executed.’’
In additional remarks, Van Gundy didn’t essential tout enjoying the younger guys within the title of tanking, however repeated his theme in regards to the roster being “mediocre.’’
“For those who’re throughout the workforce, it's a must to maintain on to hope [RJ] Barrett comes again, [Derrick] Rose comes again,’’ Van Gundy stated. “And although you will have a tricky schedule, you discover your means with a rotation. Since I’m not a part of the workforce and I observe — and I watch each recreation however 3 or 4 — since I’m an enormous fan of the Knicks and Thibodeau I don’t see it. I haven’t seen it from the beginning of the 12 months. When you will have mediocre roster it's a must to play with a starvation and desperation that we noticed final 12 months. This 12 months it’s nonetheless a mediocre roster, significantly within the top-end expertise, They’re had a number of extra well being points.’’
Van Gundy made his remarks through the All-Star break and earlier than Rose was dominated out indefinitely after surgical procedure Friday.
“For those who’re Thibodeau, the way you play can change a bit, who you play can change,’’ Van Gundy added. “You'll be able to attempt to play a man like [rookie] Miles McBride off the bench. You can provide a extra distinguished function to Cam Reddish. However with everybody of these selections to play someone extra, you’re going to remove from someone else.’’
Barrett returned from his ankle sprain Friday after lacking 4 straight video games. “He had an excellent break,’’ Thibodeau stated. … Middle Nerlens Noel, bothered by a knee damage, additionally was a go.
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