NY Knicks: 3 ‘Secret Weapon’ players in the playoffs

NY Knicks Secret Weapon #2: Taj Gibson

Aside from Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson is the player with the most playoff experience on the roster. Many of those seasons of course came during both of their times in Chicago along with Tom Thibodeau.

Gibson has played in 8 playoffs and 12 series’, including an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2011. In 27 career playoff games, Gibson has averaged 9.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 0.96 blocks per game and has shot 54.3% from the field.

Gibson’s best stretch of playoff basketball came in 2014 when his Bulls lost in the first round to the Washington Wizards.

Here are his stats from that series:

• Game 1: 12 points (4-6 shooting), 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 30 Min
• Game 2: 22 points (7-17), 10 rebounds (9 offensive), 3 blocks,36 Min
• Game 3: 13 points (5-8), 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 30 Min
• Game 4: 32 points (13-16), 7 rebounds, 32 Min
• Game 5: 12 points (3-10), 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, 25 Min

While Gibson’s best days are behind him, he has still more than proven he can provide solid minutes with his play during the regular season. He doesn’t have to do much more than that in the playoffs to be effective.

Most of Gibson’s value as a secret weapon will be due to his playoff mileage. Whether or not he sees more than the 21 MPG he’s been accustomed to this season, Gibson will be a steadying veteran presence both on and off of the floor. His playoff experience can be invaluable to his teammates each and every game the Knicks play.