Since Tom Thibodeau appears to be the leader in the clubhouse for the head coach position full time New York Knicks, the NBA several coaches have come out in support of the former head coach of the Timberwolves. And some of his former players also respect his hustle and bustle. Former Knick Nate Robinson called Thibs one of his favorite coaches in a recent interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson.
“To be honest, Coach Thibs is one of the most addicted coaches I’ve ever played for,” Nate Robinson told Scoop in an Instagram Live interview last week.
The 5-foot-9 guard positioned himself in a unique space in Knicks’ history by winning the Slam Dunk game three times while he was a young guard on the team. He played five seasons in New York, averaging 12.5 points on 42.9% of filming before being traded with the Boston Celtics.
Robinson knows what it’s like to play for coach Thibodeau after appearing in 82 games for him, especially off the bench, during the 2012-13 season when the Chicago Bulls went to the Eastern Conference semifinals. The explosive guard had the opportunity to rejuvenate his career by playing increased minutes due to injury to superstar Derrick Rose.
“I was really lucky to have the opportunity,” said Robinson. “First, people don’t understand that at that time I had an unsecured contract, so they could have cut me at any time, so I was already walking on eggshells. I was literally the third guard point from the bench; Kirk Hinrich has started. You had the Marquis Teague coming off the bench and I was next. But I literally had to wait my turn and wait for the right opportunity to show what I could do. “
Robinson averaged 13.1 points and 4.4 assists for Thibs, his best game in a playoff victory over the Brooklyn nets when he scored 23 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter. He scored at least 20 points in four of Chicago’s 12 playoffs that year.
“He showed me professionalism, really like being a student of the game, studying the game book, studying the players,” said Robinson of Thibodeau. “It’s like knowing your enemy better than he knows himself and being prepared. It is always prepared. He always has a plan A, B, C, D, E, F and G, so it’s something that [a team hiring him] will step out of Coach Thibs. “
The Knicks are interviewing candidates to coach the team next season. While Thibodeau appears to be the favorite, there is internal support for former goalkeeper Kenny Atkinson. Former Knicks chief Mike Woodson should also be interviewed, though many are more likely to see him as an assistant. Interim coach Mike Miller will reportedly consider, and if he does not get the full-time concert, he is expected to be offered the opportunity to stay within the organization.