NY Knicks: 4 pressing questions for Tom Thibodeau

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 19: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 15: Mike Woodson of the New York Knicks (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

3. Pressing questions for Tom Thibodeau: Who will be his assistants?

Times have changed when a veteran, respected coach signs on the dotted line without having control over who will sit alongside him on the bench. But based on multiple reports, the Knicks will dictate at least two of the assistants on Thibodeau’s staff.

Newsday recently reported that interim coach Mike Miller is almost certain to make the new staff. It seems former Knicks coach Mike Woodson also has an inside track for a lead assistant role.

Who will be Thibodeau’s assistants? Maybe the better question is how will the staff work together considering it will be somewhat of a forced marriage.

Thibs has a strong personality and a high work ethic. It would seem that both Miller and Woodson should blend well with his personality. However, it’s impossible to know how a staff will perform until they are thrown into battle together.

The New York Daily News has reported that Thibodeau could fill out his staff with the likes of Kenny Payne and Rod Strickland. The Knicks new coach will have say on a few of the names who join him in coaching meetings.

Could Thibs carry a chip on his shoulder for not being able to hire all of his own guys? We will see. It will be an early indicator of how lockstep the front office and coaching staff will be as they try to turn things around in New York.

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