Frank Ntilikina pushes ball up ground towards Pacers

If you wish to understand how Tom Thibodeau will consider the Knicks’ present gamers, he might have provided a window into his considering on Friday.

The primary-year Knicks coach was requested concerning the problem of growing younger, unproven gamers.

“Clearly, participant growth is important,” Thibodeau stated. “But additionally, you’ll be able to’t lose sight of the crew growth. So it isn’t solely the problem of the participant bringing one of the best out of himself but additionally how does he carry one of the best out of the crew? And the crew must be very excessive. It is received to be on the prime of the guidelines. Profitable is crucial factor. That is why you are right here. And so how does everybody match collectively and the way do you carry one of the best out of one another?

“In order that’s an vital factor that we’re finding out: How exhausting to do individuals work? Do they play for one another? These are massive elements in profitable. Do they know what to shoot? Do they know when to cross? And we see that. We see what wins within the playoffs. While you start, it’s a must to take into consideration the top and what’s going to be mandatory if finally you do change into a playoff crew. And so it begins together with your fundamentals and that is the place we’re.”

The Knicks have had three crew practices of their bubble. In addition they had particular person exercises earlier this month. Thibodeau hasn’t had a lot time to work along with his gamers.

Here is what he stated on Friday when requested about Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina:

“I am attending to know each guys. I like what they’ve achieved to this point. They received to proceed to work,” Thibodeau stated. “There’s oftentimes ups and downs for younger gamers there’s, you understand — there is a studying curve they should undergo.

“Some experiences can be higher than others. They each have had some good moments within the league. You need to construct a consistency. And the way do you get there? It’s important to do it by your work, it’s a must to study from the experiences and it’s a must to be disciplined. And so, hopefully we are able to get there it is a essential offseason for each gamers.”

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Ntilikina and Smith Jr. are getting into the fourth and remaining years of their rookie contracts. Assuming neither participant is traded within the offseason, the Knicks may have the total 2020-21 season to judge the guards and resolve on their future with the membership. Each gamers can be restricted free brokers within the 2021 offseason.

Thibodeau ‘consumed’ with the job

Thibodeau is thought for his work ethic.

He not directly referenced that method when he was requested about his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

“Minnesota was Minnesota, and now there is a new chapter — it is New York,” Thibodeau stated. “And that is actually what I take into consideration, you understand, on a regular basis. It is all consuming. How can we get higher? How can we enhance? How can we carry one of the best out of the group? In order that’s thrilling. It is difficult. I am with a fantastic group of people who that I work with, so I am trying ahead to this problem.”

Thibodeau stated on ESPN’s The Woj Pod over the summer time that he had little interest in being a crew president once more, a task that he had in Minnesota. You’ll be able to anticipate that Thibodeau will nonetheless have a task in personnel choices in New York. He’s shut with crew president Leon Rose and Rose’s prime advisor, William ‘World Extensive Wes’ Wesley.

“I feel the vital factor for me is to only be capable to have a voice,” Thibodeau stated when requested about having enter on roster choices. “I’ve identified Leon and Wes for a very long time, in order that they’ve requested my opinion on various issues. Does not imply that they are all the time going to do what I ask them to do, however I feel there is a belief issue there so I do assume that is vital.”