Former head coach and NBA executive Tom Thibodeau is a buyer in the Los Angeles Clippers' defense following the blockbuster acquisitions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Thibodeau compared the potential defense of LA to the 2007-08 Boston Celtics' unit. Thibodeau would know, as he served as an assistant coach for the Celtics from 2007-10 before landing his first full-time head coaching gig with the Chicago Bulls.
Per Jovan Buha in The Athletic:
“I think this team has the capability to be just as good (as the 2008 Celtics) when you look at it,” Thibodeau told The Athletic. “I think it’ll be seamless. You’re talking about two elite defenders that guard multiple positions, multiple effort guys, never quit on plays. Both guys are very unique. Even if you can get by them, they’ll come from behind and get the ball.
“I think when you add in Patrick Beverley on the ball, 94 feet, and then those guys up in passing lanes, it’ll be very hard to score against them.”
The Minnesota Timberwolves ousted Thibodeau 40 games into the 2018-19 season after a two-plus-year stint manning the sidelines in the Twin Cities. Minnesota finished the season 11th in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs.
Thibodeau is known as a relentless defensive coach whose Chicago teams suffocated opponents with a frontcourt make-up of Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah and tough power forward Taj Gibson. Perimeter players Jimmy Butler and Luol Deng frequently disrupted opponents, too.
The 2008 champion Celtics featured that season's Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Garnett on the team.
Kawhi Leonard is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner himself and signed with the Clippers in free agency.
Paul George is a six-time All-Star, former Most Improved Player winner, and four-time All-Defensive team honoree.
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