Tom Thibodeau’s inability to game plan around Knicks point guard woes is a big problem
Ah, here goes Tom Thibodeau again. To no surprise, the New York Knicks dropped their sixth-straight game on Wednesday night in a 123-108 loss to Philadelphia. Although the 25-37 Knicks are four games back from the play-in tournament, Thibodeau isn’t budging with his game plan.
New York’s without point guards Derrick Rose (ankle) and Kemba Walker (away from the team) so it makes sense why the Knicks have continued to struggle in that position.
However, what doesn’t make sense is Thibodeau’s complete lack of awareness, although it’s nothing new. He’s an old-school coach who’s set in his ways and that includes having far more patience for New York’s older players than he does for the younger ones.
When asked about the Knicks’ 20 assists against the Sixers and their league-worst ranking, the head coach gave yet another head-scratching answer. Shocker.
Thibodeau on Knicks point guard struggles -- 20 assists tonight, last in the NBA in assists this season: T"hat’s the best we have, so that’s what we’re doing, and they’re capable."
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) March 3, 2022
New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is digging himself into a hole.
Alec Burks, Thibodeau’s primary point guard choice, played in 31 minutes last night and finished with four assists. Immanuel Quickley finished with two assists in 20 minutes and Miles McBride had zero in the one minute that he was in the game.
It was RJ Barrett, who has a past reputation as a PG, that led the team with seven assists (two fewer than James Harden).
It isn’t Thibodeau’s fault that New York hasn’t had a solid point guard option in what has felt like a lifetime. Yet it is his fault that he said that the Knicks are working with “the best” options that they have. That’s false.
#FreeDeuce https://t.co/2lM1f1G6zT
— Max DelSignore (@maxd83) March 3, 2022
Knicks fans have been begging for McBride to get more minutes. Before Wednesday’s game, the 21-year-old spoke with the media and said that because he’s a rookie, he was told that he has to wait on opportunities.
What better opportunity was there than going up against one of the top teams in the East? Did Thibodeau forget that New York lacks depth at point guard? Or does he just not care?
McBride is averaging 9.6 assists per game in the G League with the Westchester Knicks. In reality, Thibodeau had no other option but to play the rookie. Instead, he still opted to play Burks for 30+ minutes.
Fans aren’t implying that McBride is a star who’s been riding the pine for no reason but New York won’t be making the playoffs this year. That hope faded weeks ago. There’s a clear opening for the former West Virginia Mountaineer to get more minutes and Thibodeau’s blatant disregard to play him is frustrating.
Thibodeau, we are begging you to open your eyes and look at who’s standing right in front of your face. Knicks fans could use at least an ounce of joy but it looks like the coach is going to do everything that he can to rob the most passionate fanbase of that. Mark my words, this won’t end well for Thibs.
