GREENBURGH, N.Y. – Jalen Brunson, Knicks star, admitted that it was difficult for him to see the departure of Tom Thibodeau, whom he has known since childhood. Brunson spoke publicly for the first time since the Knicks fired Thibodeau in June, ending his five-year tenure as coach, marked by New York’s first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since the year 2000.
Brunson’s relationship with Thibodeau goes back to his childhood, as his father, Rick, was an assistant coach on Thibodeau’s teams with the Knicks and Timberwolves. Rick Brunson also played under Thibodeau when he was an assistant with the Knicks and Rockets. After arriving at the Knicks as a free agent three years ago, Brunson has become one of the league’s best players, making consecutive All-Star and All-NBA teams, while leading New York to playoff series wins in three consecutive seasons for the first time in a generation, including last year’s run to the conference finals. All of that, however, was not enough to save Thibodeau’s job, as he was fired shortly after the Knicks lost in six games against the Pacers in the prelude to the NBA Finals. Brunson, 29, averaged 26.4 points per game in his three seasons under Thibodeau and was named NBA Clutch Player of the Year last season. After New York’s Game 6 loss in Indiana, Brunson was asked if Thibodeau was the right coach for the future. Brunson, like the rest of the Knicks, is taking an optimistic stance on how it will be to work with new coach Mike Brown.I think it’s obviously sad to see a man I’ve known for a long time separate from this organization. But he has meant a lot to me. I have expressed that to him, publicly and personally. He has meant a lot to my career up to this point.
Jalen Brunson
Although he didn’t have the lifelong relationship with Thibodeau that Brunson has, Josh Hart also quickly forged a strong relationship with the coach during their season and a half working together. Hart enjoyed the best season of his career last season under Thibodeau with the Knicks, averaging career highs in rebounds (9.6), assists (5.9), and steals (1.5). Hart also said he would miss Thibodeau’s presence in the franchise, but that he was optimistic about the future working with Brown.Yeah, well, for me, my job is to go out there and find a way to help this team win. There are different people in this organization with different jobs and different things they have to do to make this team better. And that’s their point of view. For me, I have to come in and do my job the best I can.
Jalen Brunson
He continued saying…Obviously, I love Thibs. I’m always going to love Thibs for the things he helped me with and for putting me in a position to get paid. So I always have affection for him. I hope he’s doing well right now.
Josh Hart
