Jalen Brunson expressed his deep feelings regarding the recent firing of Tom Thibodeau as head coach of the New York Knicks. For Fisher, the announcement came on the heels of the Knicks’ first-round playoff exit in six games against the Indiana Pacers. This moment was especially important for Brunson, as he’s had a close relationship with Thibodeau dating back to childhood. Brunson shared how Thibs has helped him grow in his career and as a person, unearthing the emotional trauma of the move.
Brunson’s link to Thibodeau, as he explained, goes beyond the professional — it’s based on family ties. The key to this longstanding relationship is his father, Rick Brunson. He was an assistant coach under Thibodeau when Thibodeau was the head coach of both the Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rick Brunson’s responsibilities extended well beyond that of coach. He spent time with Thibodeau when Thibodeau was an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets. That familial connection has provided Jalen an invaluable look into Thibodeau’s coaching ways and overall philosophy.
From their time together in Minnesota to New York, Jalen Brunson has had an incredible career between playing for Thibs. As a senior, he averaged an astounding 26.4 points and finally emerged as the star of his team. He became the NBA’s first-ever Clutch Player of the Year last season. This accomplishment serves as a testament to his short-sighted genius at thriving under the brightest lights. Brunson particularly enjoyed the environment Thibodeau fostered, saying that he loved working with him and gained the most from the coach’s experience.
In fact, Brunson hadn’t spoken publicly since Thibodeau’s firing, but after recent practice, he opened up on his and Thibodeau’s time together and what he learned from the experience. He was realistic about the difficulties involved in making these changes, but hopeful as he looked ahead to the future. At this point, the Knicks have recently hired Mike Brown to replace Larry Brown as their new head coach. Brunson says he couldn’t be happier to start this new chapter in his career.
Josh Hart, another important player for the Knicks, formed a close bond with Thibodeau in their year-and-a-half together. Hart blossomed into a major breakout season under the coach, driving home once again Thibodeau’s knack for making players better. As the team transitions to a new coaching regime, both Brunson and Hart will carry forward the lessons learned from Thibodeau while adapting to Brown’s coaching style.
In addition to coaching changes, the Knicks made significant moves in the offseason, trading for prominent players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. These acquisitions are largely seen as efforts to bolster the team’s roster and make them more competitive in the highly talented National Football League. Brunson had career-highs in rebounding, assists, and steals playing for Thibodeau. This remarkable effort underscores his ability to carry the load as he faces new competition alongside his heady playmaking compatriots.
Leave a Reply