Tom Thibodeau is not the rigid figure he’s been painted to be, although he doesn’t seem to mind the all-basketball, all-the-time image. But as he takes on his third head-coaching job in 10 years, it’s incumbent upon him and the New York Knicks to bring out the extra dimensions to his style.
He’s gruff, but he can laugh.
He’s demanding and strong-willed, but can be flexible.
But can he win?
In the pressure cooker that is New York, for the franchise that has more dust on its banners than shine, for a fanbase that loves to harken back to the “glory days” of the ’90s when they were perpetual bridesmaids and subplots to greater superstars, Thibodeau will be tasked with winning.