Knicks Rumors: Pros and Cons of hiring Tom Thibodeau in 2020

Pro: Defense

If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed about a Tom Thibodeau team, it’s that defense will be the top priority. The Chicago Bulls overcame incessant injuries and illnesses to routinely roll out elite defensive squads, and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ one-year turnaround saw an improvement on defense, as well.

If the New York Knicks are looking to get back to what’s always worked, then prioritizing defense would be a rational way to go about doing so.

In Thibodeau’s first season as head coach of the Bulls, they ranked second in the NBA in points allowed per game at a mere 91.3. Chicago moved up to No. 1 the following season, allowing an unfathomable 88.2 points per contest.

Chicago ranked third in scoring defense in 2012-13, first in 2013-14, and bottomed out at ninth in 2014-15—meaning the worst they were was Top 10 in the NBA.

In Minnesota, there were clear signs of improvement from a ranking of 23rd in 2015-16 to 18th in 2016-17—his first year at the helm. The Timberwolves were never elite on defense, but remained in the Top 20 throughout his tenure.

Being that the Knicks have played who are already invested in defense, such as Frank Ntilikina and Mitchell Robinson, Thibodeau could have an even easier time here.

Perhaps the winning ways will return with the franchise embracing who they used to be.