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Tom Thibodeau Not Worried About Knicks

New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau isn't concerned about the team's inconsistencies.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 27, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau looks on during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Nov 27, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau looks on during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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The New York Knicks are fresh off of a topsy-turvy road trip that saw them go 3-2 over five games.

While the Knicks struggled in the final game against the short-handed Charlotte Hornets, they were able to pull out a win, and that's what coach Tom Thibodeau cares about the most.

“I felt it was going to be a physical game and we were going to need energy—a lot of it—and so we just kept working the game, working the game and then found a way to win down the stretch," Thibodeau said h/t Posting and Toasting. “I’m looking for our improvement daily, so to come out of the trip with three wins—we’re .500 on the road now. We get a chance to be back home and concentrate on the improvement.”

Thibodeau made a dramatic change towards the end of the game, swapping out Mikal Bridges in the closing lineup for Miles McBride, but it's a move that paid off in the end.

Thibodeau explained his reasoning for benching Bridges, but he also offered some hope for his improvement.

“I say this all the time—look, Mikal’s going to be fine. If he were a rookie, I would be worried because you don’t know who the rookie is really. There’s not a body of work. We know Mikal has a body of work," Bridges said. “I just want him to play his game. Take your shots. Mikal is not a specialist. He’s an all-around player."

With Thibodeau running the ship, he will ensure that Bridges is put in a position to succeed as the season rolls along.

Bridges, Thibodeau and the Knicks head back home to the friendly confines of Madison Square Garden with their next game tonight as they take on Dejounte Murray and the New Orleans Pelicans. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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