Tom Thibodeau’s coaching is hurting the New York Knicks

In what’s been one of the most disappointing seasons in recent history for the New York Knicks, there have been endless issues.  One of the biggest issues is their coaching this season.  After reviving them last year, now Tom Thibodeau’s coaching is hurting the New York Knicks.

I understand some people will find this controversial as Thibs was the 2021 NBA Coach of The Year. However, I had my problems with him last year, and these issues are growing larger.

RJ Barrett had one of his best games of his career against the Clippers on Sunday scoring 28 points while adding 14 rebounds and 6 assists in a 110-102 win.  There was one issue I had though, which was Barrett played 43 minutes in a non-overtime regular season game.

New York Knicks: Tom Thibodeau is hurting the team

Thibs is known to play his best players heavy minutes.  Loul Deng led the league in minutes back to back seasons when Thibs coached the Bulls.

Barrett, who’s been the Knicks best on ball defender, has also looked like he’s becoming the Knicks first offensive option.  After a huge slump, he has averaged 23 points, 7 rebounds and 3.5 assists since the 2022 began.

These numbers are amazing, but since 2022 began, Barrett has been playing 37 minutes per night. Obviously, he’s getting star minutes because he’s playing like an all-star, but the Knicks are a deep team. Their bench regularly outplays their starters.

Barrett is 8th in minutes per game this month, and everyone else on the list is essentially the only usable player at their position on their team. The Knicks have too many wings/forwards as it is, Barrett does not need to be played 37 minutes.

Barrett is not the only issue here, however I could write a whole article why Barrett should be running the point guard over career spot-up-shooter Alec Burks.  The issue is he ignores his elite bench unit.

It’s no secret that Julius Randle is going to need to play better.  I still think Thibs has overplayed Julius, and he feels burnt out, which I also said last playoffs.

Randle has played the 4th most minutes in the NBA this season.  He is playing worse than last year and the Knicks have an electrifying backup in Obi Toppin, whose minutes have been decreasing for zero reason.

Obi is going to ask for a trade, how could he not? He was picked 8th overall and his coach refuses to play him despite having the 3rd highest plus minus on the team.

Thibs is actively hurting this team, his rotations are absolutely horrible.  They make me sick.  He has become maybe the most overrated coach in the league.

The team is 23rd in offensive rating despite having top-15 offensive talent.  After being first in defensive rating last season, they’re now 12th.  I refuse to believe that Reggie Bullock and Elfrid Payton were all time great defenders who carried the team’s defense.  There is a problem with the Knicks coaching, and it’s their head coach. Thibs is closer to the hot seat than we think.