TARRYTOWN, NY—File this one under “easiest predictions of 2020.” In his first two days of real, live practice as head coach of the New York Knicks, Tom Thibodeau is focusing on defense. Considering his background, this should not come as a shock to anyone. In fact, defense has always been Thibodeau’s calling card.
Over the last two days of media sessions (conducted remotely via Zoom, of course), the word is that Thibodeau is honing in on defensive concepts that he wants to teach this young Knicks squad. That’s a great starting point for a team that lacked an identity prior to Thibodeau’s arrival.