In hiring the former Bulls coach, New York sent a loud message that the days of being an NBA punchline are over. Not only will Thibodeau give the Knicks instant credibility, but will make them a much more dangerous threat in the Eastern Conference than the Bulls will be in two years.

By Joe Cowley Jul 25, 2020, 4:43pm CDT

Zach LaVine’s eyes lit up, as a smile came across his face.

Of course the Bulls guard was excited to talk about “my guy.’’

“[His] style works,’’ LaVine said back in February of the coach. “He’s not a beat-around-the-bush type of guy. This is just a guy that once you buy into his coaching, I mean look at the track record. It’s pretty damn good.’’

Unquestionably the biggest endorsement LaVine has given a head coach since arriving in Chicago back in 2017.

And unfortunately it wasn’t directed at his current one.

Heck, he wasn’t even talking about his former Bulls coach in Fred Hoiberg.

Nope, it was the one that traded him to Chicago years ago, and the same one that Bulls fans know all too well. Three seasons later, LaVine was still raving about his one-year of experience playing under Tom Thibodeau.

“Mr. Thibs,’’ LaVine said at the time. “He should damn well be coaching somewhere, that’s for sure.’’

And now it looks like he will be, with the Knicks and Thibodeau dotting the final Is and crossing a few Ts on a five-year deal as of Saturday.

A deal that not only brings New York back to NBA relevance, but in the big picture of the Eastern Conference, now catapults their rebuild ahead of the Bulls.

Crazy?

Not at all.

Welpee wrote:

smackeddog wrote:I thought it was BS at first, but with Zach LaVines praising of Thibs hiring, I do wonder if that’s our next move. From Chicago Sun Times:

In hiring the former Bulls coach, New York sent a loud message that the days of being an NBA punchline are over. Not only will Thibodeau give the Knicks instant credibility, but will make them a much more dangerous threat in the Eastern Conference than the Bulls will be in two years.

By Joe Cowley Jul 25, 2020, 4:43pm CDT

Zach LaVine’s eyes lit up, as a smile came across his face.

Of course the Bulls guard was excited to talk about “my guy.’’

“[His] style works,’’ LaVine said back in February of the coach. “He’s not a beat-around-the-bush type of guy. This is just a guy that once you buy into his coaching, I mean look at the track record. It’s pretty damn good.’’

Unquestionably the biggest endorsement LaVine has given a head coach since arriving in Chicago back in 2017.

And unfortunately it wasn’t directed at his current one.

Heck, he wasn’t even talking about his former Bulls coach in Fred Hoiberg.

Nope, it was the one that traded him to Chicago years ago, and the same one that Bulls fans know all too well. Three seasons later, LaVine was still raving about his one-year of experience playing under Tom Thibodeau.

“Mr. Thibs,’’ LaVine said at the time. “He should damn well be coaching somewhere, that’s for sure.’’

And now it looks like he will be, with the Knicks and Thibodeau dotting the final Is and crossing a few Ts on a five-year deal as of Saturday.

A deal that not only brings New York back to NBA relevance, but in the big picture of the Eastern Conference, now catapults their rebuild ahead of the Bulls.

Crazy?

Not at all.

I read that article this morning. Could he and RJ play together? Not sure.

The fear is we trade RJ for him

Welpee wrote:

smackeddog wrote:I thought it was BS at first, but with Zach LaVines praising of Thibs hiring, I do wonder if that’s our next move. From Chicago Sun Times:

In hiring the former Bulls coach, New York sent a loud message that the days of being an NBA punchline are over. Not only will Thibodeau give the Knicks instant credibility, but will make them a much more dangerous threat in the Eastern Conference than the Bulls will be in two years.

By Joe Cowley Jul 25, 2020, 4:43pm CDT

Zach LaVine’s eyes lit up, as a smile came across his face.

Of course the Bulls guard was excited to talk about “my guy.’’

“[His] style works,’’ LaVine said back in February of the coach. “He’s not a beat-around-the-bush type of guy. This is just a guy that once you buy into his coaching, I mean look at the track record. It’s pretty damn good.’’

Unquestionably the biggest endorsement LaVine has given a head coach since arriving in Chicago back in 2017.

And unfortunately it wasn’t directed at his current one.

Heck, he wasn’t even talking about his former Bulls coach in Fred Hoiberg.

Nope, it was the one that traded him to Chicago years ago, and the same one that Bulls fans know all too well. Three seasons later, LaVine was still raving about his one-year of experience playing under Tom Thibodeau.

“Mr. Thibs,’’ LaVine said at the time. “He should damn well be coaching somewhere, that’s for sure.’’

And now it looks like he will be, with the Knicks and Thibodeau dotting the final Is and crossing a few Ts on a five-year deal as of Saturday.

A deal that not only brings New York back to NBA relevance, but in the big picture of the Eastern Conference, now catapults their rebuild ahead of the Bulls.

Crazy?

Not at all.

I read that article this morning. Could he and RJ play together? Not sure.

LaVine is a good off ball shooter so I think they could. But would need a PG that can play off the ball. Can’t throw Ball into that mix. It would have to be someone like Haliburton. But if they were to trade for him I don’t see them moving Barrett. It would be on draft day involving this years lottery pick plus future picks. Bulls would be looking to build around White, Carter and the 2 lottery picks this year.

TripleThreat wrote:Nerlens Noel

I think OKC want rid of Steven Adams (1 year $27mil left) with Noel as his replacement (who'll be a lot cheaper), so we'd be more likely to take on Adams in a salary dump than land Noel

Knixkik wrote:Jeff Teague- thibs brought him in while running the Twolves. Seems like if the Knicks don’t go all in for VanVleet or trade for Paul and draft their future PG, Teague makes some sense as a cheaper trustworthy vet to pair with the rookie.

Carmelo - thibs is known to like him and he and Rose probably view him as a stretch 4 fit. Inevitable reunion.

Taj Gibson - almost a guarantee he’s brought back now, even at a lower price.

Ball or Haliburton - If they move up in the draft via ping pong balls or trade it will be for Ball, who’s a CAA guy. If they stay put and Haliburton is there he just makes a lot of sense. He’s known as a defensive high upside guard and has a rep as a good locker room presence/ hard worker. No doubt thibs struggled with Wiggins and towns because they aren’t known as hard workers. He shouldn’t have that problem with RJ and Mitch and also Haliburton if drafted.

Will be interesting to see if Melo's stock rises or falls in the bubble, especially with all the healthy bodies Portland has back.

As mentioned in the thread, Ball and Thibs? No match. Wonder if this hiring was part of why IsoZo was let go...

TripleThreat wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

TripleThreat wrote:Nerlens Noel

I think OKC want rid of Steven Adams (1 year $27mil left) with Noel (who'll be a lot cheaper), so we'd be more likely to take on Adams in a salary dump than land Noel

Thibs wants to win. He needs to win.

He won't win on the Knicks with offense. He doesn't have the roster or the firepower. Nothing in the draft or FA will change that.

With Thibs, and it's still a huge IF, Noel could become a DPOY candidate.

Noel is an UFA and nothing in his earning path the past few seasons says he would break the bank to sign. Thibs would also use him as a starter and give him starters minutes ( assuming Noel falls in line), which would not be true in most other places.

Andre Roberson is another interesting add depending on cost.

Thibs is going to try and turn Mitch into a DPOY. I read he loves him. Gibson clearly still has a role here with thibs, probably as Mitch's backup. Randle, if he stays, will hopefully play more minutes at center. I don't see any role for Noel here.

smackeddog wrote:

Welpee wrote:

smackeddog wrote:I thought it was BS at first, but with Zach LaVines praising of Thibs hiring, I do wonder if that’s our next move. From Chicago Sun Times:

In hiring the former Bulls coach, New York sent a loud message that the days of being an NBA punchline are over. Not only will Thibodeau give the Knicks instant credibility, but will make them a much more dangerous threat in the Eastern Conference than the Bulls will be in two years.

By Joe Cowley Jul 25, 2020, 4:43pm CDT

Zach LaVine’s eyes lit up, as a smile came across his face.

Of course the Bulls guard was excited to talk about “my guy.’’

“[His] style works,’’ LaVine said back in February of the coach. “He’s not a beat-around-the-bush type of guy. This is just a guy that once you buy into his coaching, I mean look at the track record. It’s pretty damn good.’’

Unquestionably the biggest endorsement LaVine has given a head coach since arriving in Chicago back in 2017.

And unfortunately it wasn’t directed at his current one.

Heck, he wasn’t even talking about his former Bulls coach in Fred Hoiberg.

Nope, it was the one that traded him to Chicago years ago, and the same one that Bulls fans know all too well. Three seasons later, LaVine was still raving about his one-year of experience playing under Tom Thibodeau.

“Mr. Thibs,’’ LaVine said at the time. “He should damn well be coaching somewhere, that’s for sure.’’

And now it looks like he will be, with the Knicks and Thibodeau dotting the final Is and crossing a few Ts on a five-year deal as of Saturday.

A deal that not only brings New York back to NBA relevance, but in the big picture of the Eastern Conference, now catapults their rebuild ahead of the Bulls.

Crazy?

Not at all.

I read that article this morning. Could he and RJ play together? Not sure.

The fear is we trade RJ for him

A Zack/Thad Young trade centered around Julius would really help us. Smith is a throw in, Knox is a wild card and Julius is a bey blade so the Knicks would have to include FRP(s) but we have 6 over the next 3 years and with appropriate protection I would be open to trading. Prefer to keep both next year's picks but would I include our #1 this year? Not sure... but this looks like a fun small ball squad to start the Thibs era with:
G Frank/Lavine/RJ
F Mitch/Young
bench: Bullock, Iggy, FRPs/FAs, etc

Frank/RJ/Mitch/Young could be a defensive core even Thibs will like and while I wouldnt call Zach a scoring star he's not bad and could fit nicely.

Anyway that whole idea is me throwing poo on the wall but I do expect us to have a young core of guys but some better players to help jump start this thing as well. Zach and Thad Young seem like nice options. Always depends on cost right? I am avoiding multiple FRPs unless its bringing back a star (Lilliard? 🤷‍♂️)