Knicks forward Mikal Bridges, the NBA’s leader in total minutes played this season, said on Wednesday that he has spoken to head coach Tom Thibodeau about the idea of dialing back the starters’ minutes to some extent and leaning more on the bench. Asked later in the day about that discussion, Thibodeau denied that it happened.
“We never had a conversation about it,” Thibodeau told reporters, including Stefan Bondy of The New York Post and James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.
Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby are all among the top six in the NBA in terms of minutes per game, with Hart and Bridges occupying the top two spots on that leaderboard. Jalen Brunson ranks 19th, while Karl-Anthony Towns is 24th. Thibodeau, who has faced criticism over the years for the heavy workloads he assigns his top players, defended his approach ahead of Wednesday’s game in Portland.
“The facts are the facts. When you look at our team, and the way it works, Jalen plays 35 minutes, and I think he’s 20th or 21st in average minutes played,” Thibodeau said. “(Towns), who is a primary scorer, plays less than Jalen. He’s like 25th in the league in average minutes.
“Your wings play more, right? They’re matched up with primary scorers. The way it works, if Jayson Tatum is in the game or Jaylen Brown is in the game, OG will be in the game and Mikal will be in the game. When those guys go out, (our) guys go out. When they come back, (our guys) come back. We try to keep them matched up. If you look at the league, all those guys are playing 36, 37 minutes — whether it’s Durant, Tatum, Brown. The wings are going to play more. They are primary wings defenders. That’s the way it works.”
Thibodeau also pointed out that Bridges’ minutes have come down as of late. The veteran forward played 39.3 minutes per night through his first 35 games of the season; entering Wednesday, he had averaged 35.5 MPG in his previous 21 outings. While Wednesday’s contest vs. the Trail Blazers represented the seventh time Bridges has played 40-plus minutes since February 1, five of those games went to overtime.
According to Thibodeau, his starters’ playing time will likely remain a little below where it was during the first couple months of the season because the reserves are healthier at this point, with Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet among those now playing rotation roles.
“We’ve started the season with Landry hurt and (Miles McBride) not 100 percent. So our wings did play more,” Thibodeau said. “So are they playing a little bit more than I would like? Yeah. Probably 35 or 36 (minutes), and that’s where Mikal is if you look at the last 10 games — he’s playing 35 minutes per game and four of those games are overtime games. So that’s the reality. Now that Deuce is healthy, those minutes are going to come down. So that’s the way it is.”
Although Thibodeau didn’t sound thrilled to have to revisit the discourse about his player usage, the day ended on a positive note for both him and Bridges, who scored a team-high 33 points on 13-of-21 shooting and nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer in overtime to give the Knicks a 114-113 win (Twitter video link).
“He was huge, huge,” Thibodeau said, per Edwards.
It would’ve been so much easier for the overall optics for Tom Thibodeau to just say, yeah we talked about it and we talk about everything.
And then he can go on with his explanation, which of course sounds like he’s aware of the issue and someone probably talked to him about it lol.
Exactly. He essentially called his player a liar when it was unnecessary.
Why not call out the player for going public to the media with a conversation that never happened????
How do you know it never happened?
What does Bridges gain by saying he went to Thibodeau if he didn’t?
Yeah, no. It’s all about power and politics. If you let one player start speaking out, putting themselves above the coach, it takes away your power. Just like the Miami and pat riley fued.
Something about this does feel different though. The timing is weird. I get the impression someone else is involved.
There’s a difference between listening to your subordinates give constructive criticism and letting them say you don’t know what you’re doing. Thibs could’ve easily said, yes, we talked about it and I hear him, but I’m gonna do what’s best for the team.” I don’t think that going to invite some kind of revolt. Good leaders listen and react.
Wrong. Thibs is a general. Imagine bill belichick letting players talk out of school. Bridges took a risk and I think someone put him up to it. Of course thibs won’t let it slide. The question is who is in his ear
Come on, you can’t compare Thibs to Belichik. Thibs has won ZERO chips as a head coach. There’s a reason why he has never won a championship, and his refusal to adjust to things has so far led to that. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good coach, but he’s not “one of the best coaches of all time” good.
You’re totally missing my point but whatever. I didn’t compare their records. Imagine though if Mikhail bridges spoke about bilichek playing his players too much. That’d be weird, right?
Of course. And this is also the way that Thibs always deals with the media. He’d rather have a root canal ham answer a question about a tough coaching decision.
So you agree someone put bridges up to it to get to thibs? Or something deeper
No, I don’t believe anyone “put Bridges upt to it to get to Thibs.”
I believe that Bridges thinks he’s helping the team, and also that he didn’t expect Thibs to deny that they spoke.
And, I believe that Thibs, because it’s consistent with how he’s always been, doesn’t care to discuss such matters with the media. He’s old school.
Well let us know how the Kool aid tastes brother. Because I’m not drinking it.
Thibs doing Thibs things…
Umm…that’s really weird. Somehow I feel like bigger parties are getting involved. People who outrank silver…
The agenda pushers
You are right. It has to be the Queen B$$..Stephen A. “The Real Housewives of ESPN” need some drama to justify their existence. That TV contract has got to pay for itself somehow.
Not a bad guess but I feel like it might be even bigger than that. Notice anything about the media deal and the rights vs. inter-state rights? It lines up a little too perfectly.
Thibs is running the Knicks the way the Knicks need to be run, and that includes playing time. The Knicks were completely dead in the water before the front office hired Thibs. Thibs silenced those critics last year, and many became Thibs supporters. Don’t jump off the bandwagon now. Thibs knows what he is doing. He has guided this team to levels they have not seen in quite some time. If they don’t get a title, it won’t be because Thibs played them too many minutes. They would have just not been good enough, and Mikhail Bridges, and his 34% shooting from the 3-point arc, would be a big part of not being good enough. Notice the difference in winning outcomes for the Knicks, like last night, when Bridges actually makes a 3-point shot or two down the stretch. Thibs ain’t the problem.
Why not? Jerry Sloan, George Karl and Donn Nelson all won over a 1,000 games in their careers. All 3 are in the Basketball Hall of Fame. But, they never won a title as a Head Coach. Some just don’t know how to win it all.
Jerry Sloan would have had 2 rings had it not been for having to play Michael Jordan, and the Bulls in the Finals. George Karl would have 1 ring had it not been for having to play Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the Finals.
Jordan wasn’t in the Finals every year. Karl and Sloan had plenty of seasons to win a ring.
“The Knicks were completely dead in the water before the front office hired Thibs”
You mean “Leon Rose”.
“They would have just not been good enough, and Mikhail Bridges, and his 34% shooting from the 3-point arc,”
First, it’s “Mikal”. If you’re going to trash him, get his name right. Second, he’s shooting 36.1% from 3. Third, he’s taken 11 heaves this year. If you subtract them from his totals, his 70-194 becomes 70-183, which is 38.5% from 3. So when he’s taking a traditional three pointer, he’s shooting 38.5% from 3, which is better than Brunson, SGA, Tatum, Lillard, and a host of other elite players in the league.
You literally don’t have a clue as to what you’re talking about. I would be shocked if you’ve watched one game this season.
Bridges is currently shooting 35% from the three. He went into last night shooting 34%. He is now at 35%. Look it up. If you are going to criticize the fact I spelled Bridges name wrong. At least have the facts on your stats correct. Living “rent free” inside @rct’s brain. Lol.
But Thibs didn’t silence the critics at all. In fact, the way he ran his rotation and how gassed his guys were at the end of the season just added fuel to the criticisms.
People have continued to be vocal about being stubborn and repeating the same mistakes over and over.
Maybe that’s because Thibs’ critics know absolutely nothing about what coaching is, and thus are not worth addressing. People who are continually successful should repeat their behavior. It’s his critics who need to stop being stubborn and course correct. But I doubt that anybody expects much in that regard.
LMAO. Thibs doesn’t have to explain himself to the media or 2k nation (which comprise the overwhelming majority of his critics). Like any HC, he answers only to the FO and his players; thankfully, both of those (together with anyone else who understands what coaching is on any level of any sport) appreciate him for the great HC he is, and that his record clearly demonstrates.
If Bridges had issues with his minutes (in-game or generally in games), then he was right to mention that to Thibs. Although he should not have mentioned to the media, particularly the NY media right now, as they’ve been shunned by this FO and would love a topic they can cast out there, and know that at least the 2k part of the fanbase will rise to the bait.
On the other hand, it’s highly doubtful (almost inconceivable) that Bridges (who’s known as a great teammate) would EVER suggest to a HC that any one, or any group, of his teammate(s) play fewer mintues. Almost all NBA players spend the majority of their careers hunting as many minutes as they can get, as certainly as they hunt as many $$ as they can get. Those are two topics that are out of line for a teammate to speak on.
Facts!
Thank you, someone gets it. What are your thoughts on the timing though, with everything going on. You read about new york in the news and congestion pricing. Don’t you think its a little too perfect?
The timing (on Bridges) was likely the media’s, unless Bridges called for a press conference. I live and park in the congestion zone, so its far from perfect from my perspective.
Bahahahahahahahaha
The fact Bridges spoke out means he has lost the locker rooms respect…
They respect the critics more…
It’s the East… The team doesn’t have to try as hard as if it’s the Western Bloodbath…
Thibs just makes sure a 2nd round exit is the ceiling of his teams…
Nobody with the basketball acumen to assess a HC is either among, or respects, Thibs’ critics. Most laugh at them actually.
Lost the locker room? If that’s true, the team will collapse from here, and go out in the first round. The opponent almost doesn’t matter. If you have any respect for your own opinion, you would predict that. But knowing you’re a silly troll, you predict they won’t get by BOS in the 2nd round (BOS being the prohibitive favorite). It’s OK. You’re actually right to disrespect your own opinion. You should do it more often.
Genius ……….. you realize everyone reads this.
Second round ———. ALL YEAR has been the Celtics. No intelligent fan. Thinks they are winning. But we will show up. Then we will see who shows up for them.
Cavs vs Celtics is the Eastern finals…
No other team has a shot with those teams healthy…
Everybody wants to SAY Thibs is playing guys too much but – isn’t it funny how all of those people can’t seem to figure out who should be playing more?
Should Landry Shamet be getting 25 MPG?
Is Pacome Dadiet ready for a rotation role?
Should Mitchell Robinson come off his minutes restriction?
Is Ariel Hukporti being underutilized?
It’s crickets except for Thibs is this, Thibs is that.
This is how the team was designed. They’re a big five instead of a big three.
The reality is they won a road game at the buzzer in OT and they probably lose it in regulation if they played any fringe players extra minutes.
If they were the 6th or 7th seed from winning fewer games, people would be crying even louder.
Facts!
“isn’t it funny how all of those people can’t seem to figure out who should be playing more?”
As much as I disagree with him on things, please see Al’s posts. He talks a lot about who should be playing more. To get the starting crew down to 35 minutes, you would just need to pump Mitch back to 20-25 minutes. McBride already plays 20+ minutes. Precious, Payne, and Shamet at 10-12 minutes a night. There you go. Ten man rotation.
There’s 240 minutes of PT per night. The starters at 35 minutes gets you to 175. You only need to find 65 minutes between McBride, Mitch, Payne, Shamet, and Precious. This isn’t difficult but the Knicks have played like two games all season at full strength.
Even at a nine man rotation with Precious on the outside looking in, McBride and Mitch at 20+ minutes with Payne and Shamet at 10+ minutes works.
“you would just need to pump Mitch back to 20-25 minutes.”
He is on a minutes restriction for a reason. He missed 10 months and they are dead in the water if he goes down again.
“Precious, Payne, and Shamet at 10-12 minutes a night. There you go. Ten man rotation.”
Which is no different than their current minute allotments lol
The only suggestion you made was increase Robinson’s minutes by 5-10.
Avoiding criticism of overplaying the starters probably is as easy as giving Precious, Payne, and Shamet 8-10 minutes more per game. If those 3 guys played 20 mpg, there wouldn’t be a discussion. Those are high quality reserves.
The concerns over injury happen when minutes exceed, say, 36 mpg on average and, especially, spike up to > 40 mpg. Most NBA coaches do their best to avoid that.
Precious plays 21 MPG, whoops. He’s already there.
You can’t play Payne 20 MPG if you’re going to play Jalen Brunson 30+. Again, everyone throws the names out there without actually thinking about the ramifications.
Shamet is not a a high quality reserve. He signed a ****ing Exhibit 9 for a reason. He is a “Reserve”. Not a quality one.
Nevermind that he dislocated his shooting shoulder in October and had to work his way back from that (31 3PT% through January, very high quality!). Let’s ignore that part because it’s imperative we hop on this narrative bandwagon.
Any utilization of Hukporti would be ill-advised considering he’s recovering from a torn meniscus.
Part of coaching isn’t just dividing up minutes, it’s being able to develop players. Half of the reason why Thibs plays a small rotation (besides his career long stubbornness), is his inability to develop a second unit and progress players. It’s a never-ending cycle – other guys don’t get minutes, so they don’t progress on the court, but they’re not progressing in the gym so they’re not getting more minutes. Round and round it goes, while another Thibs team falls short in the postseason.
Classic Thibs was earlier this season – a 24 point blowout win against Charlotte, which he played Bridges for 47min, OG for 40, KAT for 39 and Hart for 38. The game wasn’t in doubt – they had a 20 point lead by midway through the 3rd, yet Thibs rode them anyway. Meanwhile, 5 bench guys only got 3 minutes or less. This is why he can’t develop anyone else.
> Everybody wants to SAY Thibs is playing guys too much but – isn’t it funny
> how all of those people can’t seem to figure out who should be playing more?
There is a credible argument to be made that winning justifies heavy minutes for your best players, no matter what the injury risk. The Head Coach gets to make the call.
History shows that Thibs plays his best guys more than any other NBA coach… no matter how good his bench is. It goes back to his early days with the Bulls, where he was blamed for injuries to DRose, Noah and Butler. Same with his stint in Minnesota. You can find articles on Thibs doing it going back to 2012. The data is pretty convincing. Players will say it’s no big deal while they’re on his team. The blame comes later.
link to clutchpoints.com
Easy…
Give the quality rotation members off the bench, of which the Knicks have 4 and Robinson, 5 more mins per night… 3 in the 2nd and 2 in the 3rd…
They aren’t going to bottom out and be in the play in… It’s the East ffs…
Oh please. If the Knicks were in 6th place people would be talking about the offseason being a disaster and whether they should fire Thibs in the offseason.
“Part of coaching isn’t just dividing up minutes, it’s being able to develop players.”
Again, WHO are the players not being developed here?
Thibs has done well with player development over the years: Miles McBride(!), Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jericho Sims
WHO are the players “not being developed” for a larger role on a playoff team? Dadiet or Kolek? Step up to the plate.
Are you seriously going to put that list out there?
McBride’s development has stalled – his shooting in particular has regressed this year.
Quickley has played two seasons since leaving New York, and they are his two best seasons.
Obi Toppin has also played two seasons since leaving New York, and they are also his two best seasons.
Hartenstein found a good role.
Jericho Sims?? The guy who averages 2.4 points for his career, and saw his minutes decline for 3 straight seasons in New York before leaving?
When you’re citing the development of Jericho Sims as something New York and Thibs have “done well”, you are completely detached from reality. It’s probably too late for you to delete that part, so now it’s out there forever. Well done.
McBride was a 12th man drafted in the 2nd round, and now he’s the team’s 6th man.
Quickley has played all of 53 games since leaving New York a year ago. He averaged 15 PPG in 24 MPG prior to being traded, establishing himself as a starting level guard (blocked by Jalen Brunson). Tell me you don’t watch the NBA without telling me you don’t watch the NBA.
Oh by the way, he was drafted 25th overall.
Sims was a 58th pick that they were able to get rotation minutes out of.
The point, which you keep dancing around like a coward, is that Thibs isn’t riding the starters “because Thibs”.
Are Tyler Kolek and Pacome Dadiet worthy of larger rotation roles? Yes or no?
> Thibs has done well with player development over the years:
> Miles McBride(!), Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin,
> Isaiah Hartenstein, Jericho Sims
(Before saying more, Thibs is a very good coach. I give him an “A-/A” on regular season coaching and a “C+/B-” on playoff coaching. I’m not a Thibs hater.)
But, I’d give him a C+/B- on player development. The Knicks’ single big weakness is a poor bench, partly because their draft picks usually don’t improve much. All of the Knicks’ current core (the 5 starters) have been acquired by free agency or trade, as were Devincenzo and Randle before. I can’t think of another NBA team with less contribution from drafted players other than the Clippers.
Hartenstein is great, but he didn’t play for the Knicks until his 5th season. He played because Robinson & Randle couldn’t, and shouldn’t be in the discussion.
Give Thibs credit for Quickley and McBride — 2 drafted players that have exceeded expectations.
Give him a pass on RJ Barrett, who, IMO, underachieved as a #3 draft pick, and immediately became better in Toronto.
Toppin and Sims were huge disappointments under Thibs. Grimes showed early promise, but got sent out as trade fodder.
Not developing young players well goes hand-in-hand with playing vets too many minutes.
There’s a lot of “I respect rough and tough generals who disregard their subordinates” types on here…
It’s all part of that fragile alpha male ego I guess… Gotta beat that chest hard enough each day…
Nah, I’m just a cap dork with a memory longer than 2 months, who can remember the hoops the team had to jump through for them to even field a legal roster.
This is the thinnest team that Thibs has probably ever had. In some respects Leon was playing to his coach’s strengths, but they were severely handcuffed this off-season. Lest we forget why Isaiah Hartenstein is no longer on this team.
Far more troll types, and, unfortunately, most of the feeble minded variety. Fragile IQ’s.
That’s exactly what I meant… Wannabe alpha’s lol
Bondy is the one who put the story out. Now he puts out Thibs response. I haven’t seen any proof of Bridges saying this. Only a reporter saying he said it. So it must be true. No reason for Thibs to deny it. Thibs is in charge in NY. We all know that. Pkayers know it better and love him. He’s made every player better than they have ever been. This is a real team. Only nons who don’t follow the team got answers. Even if they did discuss it. So what … Bridges is right. Thibs knows he doesn’t play his bench. Thats a conversation for him Rose to have. Then the owner. Thibs will listen to all his players. Its no news.
Biggest news. Is not doing something about the bench at TD. Thats the real news. Where is TJ is bigger news. Weak ……
Thibs took over a .500 Bulls team. Then won 62 gms his first yr 2010-11. Had 9 players avg double digits in mins. With Deng at 39 mins, Rose at 37 mins. The two leaders. Next was Noah at 32.5 mins.
2011-12 Bulls team —-
Thibs had 12 players in double digits mins. Only three at over 30 mins. Deng 39 mins, Rose 35 mins, Noah 30 mins.
2012-13 Bulls team —-
Thibs had 10 players avg double digits in mins. With three pkayers avg over 30 mins.
This is yr Rose was hurt. And Jimmy became the star …., Are we seeing a patern gere yet Deng was only one who got mins. And his styke could handke it. Look up the rest yourselfs !!!!
2016-17 TWolves team —- record 31-51
Thibs had 12 players at double digit mins. Zach 37 mins, Wiggins 37 mins, Towns 37 mins, Rubio 32 mins, Dieng 32 mins. A very young team. Thibs was also the GM here. Which imo was really his downfall.
2017-18 TWolves team —-
Thibs had 10 players in double digits mins. Traded for Jimmy and in 59 gms pkayed 37 mins. Had 4 players at 36, 35, 33, 33 mins. Go look it up.
2018-19 TWolves team —-
Thibs had 18 pkayers in double digits mins. With Jimmy leading with 36 mins. Then had 10 players with at least 20 mins or more. This his most used bench ever ………
So are you getting this. Must I hold class here again. Go look up the rest yourselfs. Its a myth about his mins use. His bench use. Thibs trusts a few. To build a winner. Then he builds his bench. You must know basketball to understand this. What he has always done. Is have one or two players in top ten of NBA in mins.
This YEAR with a NEW starting 5 .. boys n girls
He has 5 players in top 25 in mins played. For first time in his career. Why is that ???? Cause he’s building a winner. And we all knew. I take that back. If you know ball you knew. Knicks have NO bench cause they traded everyone for their starting TEAM. So what dont you get ————. You can get all this info yourselves. Why do you swallow everything they feed you. Get a freakin SPINE….,,
Knicks bench is lowest scoring bench in NBA. Still a work in Progress. I get most of you don’t understand that. Or watch the Knicks. Just stick around. And you will see a better Knicks team in playoffs. Than you saw in the season. Building a team is not an exact science. Hopefully it is optimum at end of season.
OK boys n girls ……,
Towns FIRST year here
Bridges FIRST year here.
OG FIRST year here …… started 23 gms last yr.
Hart FIRST year starting …. Played 25 gms first yr here. Started 42 gms last yr.
Brunson —- came here in 2022-23 started 68 gms.
Last year started 77 gms. Now he is Captain Clutch.
Not an excuse for Thibs. Just a real explanation. He is building a winner. You play your best snd find combinations. While trying to build a bench. Throw in new cap restrictions. Then you have this.
Get Informed if you want to criticize. Imo I believe no one should play more than 34 mins. Except in Playoffs. I belive strongly in goong 10 deep. I wish Thibs would scale it down. But I understand why he does it. And it’s between him the GM and Players.
In Thibs we Trust …..
In Thibs we trust that his key starters will be injured in the playoffs…