New York Knicks: 3 takeaways from the promising start

2. Tom Thibodeau is the right man for the job

What do you do when you have one of the youngest squads in the league filled with talented rookies and sophomores? For the first time in a long time, the organization made the right move by signing one of the greatest development coaches we’ve ever seen in Tom Thibodeau.

Mostly known for his work around Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler during his Chicago Bulls stint, coach Thibs has had a hand in developing many stars around the league. Jerry Stackhouse, Yao Ming, Rajon Rondo and Karl-Anthony Towns have all been positively influenced by the very capable Tom Thibodeau.

Thibs actually comes along with a very specific playstyle that he chooses to influence upon his players. His philosophy favors the key members of the team, who end up playing around 40 minutes per game.

That is exactly the case with the 2020-21 New York Knicks. Julius Randle and RJ Barrett currently occupy the first two spots in minutes played per game around the league. Even though this may seem too exhausting, their young bodies seem able to handle it as of now.

Their numbers have skyrocketed, mainly due to their confidence reaching higher levels as well. Barring any injuries, of course, it shouldn’t come as a surprise seeing a few more Knicks top the minutes per game category when it’s all said and done.

Thibodeau is an early candidate to win the Coach of the Year award, as he should. The impact he’s had on this young group in just a few months of training has been nothing short of outstanding.