According to an NBA executive who has spoken to the Knicks, the hiring of Thibodeau is being compared with Coughlin joining the Giants. At his introductory press conference, the then 57-year-old was likened to “a commanding officer fixing to take an enemy hill.” The comparisons between Thibodeau’s arrival and Coughlin’s extends to their mentors. Coughlin’s mentor was celebrated former Giants coach Bill Parcells. Thibodeau’s mentor is celebrated former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, who hired him to his staff in 1996.
Tag: Tom Thibodeaux
“Thibs and his guys can flat-out teach …
“Thibs and his guys can flat-out teach and coach,” the NBA source said. “But do they have the communication skills to say the same thing a different way? It’s a subtlety but an important one. Are all of Thibs’ guys saying the same thing the same way? Management has been sensitive to at least the perception.”