New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has nothing but good words to say to his team, particularly to Nerlens Noel and Mitchell Robinson, after their gritty preseason win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday.
While preseason games don't really matter and is just used to prepare the players for the rigorous season ahead, Thibodeau couldn't help but heap praise on his players who showed flashes of brilliance and massive potential after a long break from basketball. After all, the Big Apple franchise wasn't invited to the 2019-20 NBA bubble after recording a 21-45 record before games were suspended in March.
Noel and Robinson, in particular, stepped up big time in the Knicks' narrow 90-84 win. The two players anchored the team's defense and front court perfectly, combining for four blocks and 15 rebounds.
“The rim protection is elite,’’ Tom Thibodeau said of Nerlens Noel and Mitchell Robinson's tag team, per Marc Berman of the New York Post. “And then the finishing at the basket. I’ve been very pleased with Mitchell as well. When you have two bigs that are like that, it’s a big bonus. And they’re very similar. I’m not sure who I’m going to start, but I like both of those guys, and I’m going to need them to play well to play well as a team.’’
For what it's worth, Thibs opted to start Noel at center for the Knicks instead of Robinson. However, their combination proved to be crucial for New York, especially after the team struggled to get things going early in the contest.
The development and partnership of Noel and Robinson will certainly be critical for New York, a team that lacking a true star at the moment. Both players will need to step up if they hope to bring the Knicks back to relevance, though based on Thibodeau's comments, they're off to a pretty good start.
Follow Us
Subscribe