Newly installed New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau doesn’t have to look far for inspiration as he prepares for his first year in the Big Apple. All he has to do is tune in to the Eastern Conference Finals.
According to a New York Post story, he wants to follow the Miami Heat model and inculcate their core values to the beleaguered Knicks, who have missed the NBA Playoffs for seven straight seasons. He also gushed about one of his heroes in Heat president and former Knicks coach Pat Riley.
“He’s at the top of my list. He’s been great to me over the years, and I’ve taken a lot of things that he’s said to me. I’ve watched their organization very closely. You understand what their core values are.”
The 62-year-old Thibodeau will be the Knicks’ seventh coach in eight years, replacing Mike Miller who served as interim tactician after the firing of David Fizdale early this season. The Knicks finished with a lowly 21-45 record, which was sixth-worst in the league. They have the 8th overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
The gruff-voiced and defensive-minded Thibodeau will try to turn things around following a blueprint that found great success this season. The Heat are contending for the title with a roster filled with solid pieces with well-defined roles.
He believes many Knicks fans are quite familiar with the same culture, with Riley calling the shots from 1991 to 1995.
“The things they (Heat) believe in have stood the test of time — fundamentals, intensity, their work ethic. Those are all Pat Riley trademarks. I know Knicks fans are familiar with that from when Pat was here.”
Thibodeau, who was named 2011 NBA Coach of the Year, Thibodeau, has a career record of 352-246 (.589) over eight seasons with the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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