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NY Knicks: Comparing this team to the 2012-13 team

By Ken Tavarez

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) (L-R) Jason Kidd #5, Carmelo Anthony #7 and J.R. Smith #8 of the New York Knicks look on against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2013 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Celtics 87-71. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) (L-R) Jason Kidd #5, Carmelo Anthony #7 and J.R. Smith #8 of the New York Knicks look on against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2013 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Celtics 87-71. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Norvel Pelle, John Henson, NY Knicks
Norvel Pelle, John Henson, NY Knicks (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

NY Knicks: What is team culture?

The term team culture gets used a lot in sports. In the NBA it is usually code for how do we get our best players to buy-in. You’ve seen the Nets fire their coach, trade away their homegrown players, and change team rules just to keep their stars happy. In the NBA that is more the norm than the exception since it’s a players’ league.

The NY Knicks on the other hand have chosen to instill a culture centered around their coach instead of their best players. Coach Thibodeau’s culture is rooted in hard work,  tough defense, and attention to detail. It is actually a return to the Knicks’ core values when they won under Red Holtzman, Pat Riley, and Jeff Van Gundy.

A lot of teams were scared to hire a coach like Thibs as they thought his style didn’t resonate with today’s young star players. Could you imagine the Brooklyn trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden playing for Thibs???

The Knicks are no longer pandering to every possible big-name player on the market. They are saying, “hey we are not for everyone“. We are not the team for players that just want to get their numbers and take plays off on defense. While that sounds like a risky position to take in a players’ league, it’s the right approach.

The New York market is not for everyone and especially for players that are not fully committed to winning. Putting that out there will only attract players that are truly serious about playing for the Knicks.

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