The New York Knicks are ahead of schedule thanks to Tom Thibodeau’s maniacal preparation and tough coaching.
The much-maligned coach has led the same Knicks core as last year in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference that only a few saw it coming.
Under Thibodeau’s stewardship, Julius Randle made an incredible 360-degree spin from a selfish player into a leader. That earned him his first All-Star berth. Now, he’s setting his sights on his first playoffs berth.
“We’re growing as a team, growing as a unit,’’ Randle said after leading the Knicks to a 19-18 record in the first half, good for the fifth seed in the bunched-up East.