New York Knicks star Mikal Bridges has told Tom Thibodeau what everybody has been thinking.
There have not been many reasons to criticize Tom Thibodeau and the New York Knicks this season. At third place in the Eastern Conference, the team have been fun to watch.
Except when they are facing the very elite teams. Losses against the Cavaliers, Celtics, Thunder, and even the Lakers have led to questions over whether the Knicks can win when it matters.
The other persistent knock on the Knicks has been Tom Thibodeau’s reliance on his star players, with starting five Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges all averaging more than 35 minutes per game.
Fans criticized Thibodeau for his use of Towns in the recent loss to the Celtics, while former NBA star Paul Pierce warned back in December that the team appeared to lack depth.
Understandably the Knicks players are feeling the strain, with the issue heightened by a recent ankle injury suffered to Jalen Brunson.
Mikal Bridges is averaging 37.8 minutes per game this season, equal highest with Josh Hart. Back in December he was averaging more than 40 minutes per game.
Speaking to the New York Post, Bridges has revealed he has addressed the issue with Tom Thibodeau.
He explained: “Sometimes it’s not fun on the body. You’ll want that as a coach but also talked to him a little bit knowing that we’ve got a good enough team where our bench guys can come in and we don’t need to play 48, 47.”
Bridges says the Knicks starters believe in their teammates, and are confident the bench players can add a lot, if given a proper chance.
Asked about whether the message is getting through, Bridges says he believes Thibodeau listened.
He said: “Sometimes I think he just gets in his ways. I think he’s not arguing about it. Sometimes I think he just gets in his ways and he gets locked in. He just wants to keep the guy out there.
“Sometimes you’ve got to tell him, like Landry [Shamet], for example or somebody, keep him out there, they’re playing well.”
The New York Knicks invested heavily to acquire Mikal Bridges, including four unprotected first round picks. Even his teammates have claimed it was too high a price, claiming there was an extra tax because they had to deal with the Nets.
Having committed so much into Bridges, Thibodeau has to listen. Especially at this time of year, with the team’s playoff spot secure.
It makes total sense for Thibodeau to start mixing up rotations, exploring who can contribute to the team’s success when it matters.
Will he revert to type in the playoffs and rely heavily on the starting five? Most probably. But they need to get there intact first.
