NEW ORLEANS – Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy said an unannounced factor in the Knicks’ rise this season was that at the end of the summer he called an “extra training camp” for new coach Tom Thibodeau to get into his system. come.
Although it came before free agency and design in late September / early October, the Knicks and the so-called “Delete 8” hosted nearly two weeks of organized team activities. Van Gundy said the Knicks kept close to most of the players who took part in the OTAs.
Van Gundy, who, like his brother, Jeff, is a friend of Thibodeau’s, said the 2019-20 Knicks season was marred by David Fizdale’s early firing, wrecking continuity.
This Knicks campaign couldn’t have been any different from a stability standpoint and continued with their fourth straight win, 116-106, over the Pelicans Wednesday.
“Tom got that little extra training camp over the summer with the bubble to put things together so he got a little more time,” said Van Gundy. So they kept doing the same thing all year round. That really helps, guys, when players play the same system all year round. Continuity is helpful and Tom is a great coach and they have been able to learn the system and play the system from summer to training camp through to the season. ”
As the new coach, Van Gundy did not have that time because the Pelicans were in the Orlando bubble with former coach Alvin Gentry. Van Gundy clarified that it was reasonable for the “Delete 8” teams to have those OTAs because their seasons were cut short.
Thibodeau said the OTAs were especially helpful in building “relationships” between the new coaching staff, front office and players.
The Knicks are 29-27, and Van Gundy said they “play as good as any team in the East.” He is not surprised at the record or that they “have become a throwback to the 1990s with a low score. games. Similar to his brother’s squads when Thibodeau was his assistant.
“I’m not really surprised,” said Van Gundy. ‘I don’t know why everyone is surprised. If you look to the East, their talent certainly matches the Middle East. I don’t look at the team and say they don’t have anyone. Their talent is quite good compared to the middle bracket in the East. I’m not exactly sure why everyone is surprised, but whatever. ”
Julius Randle continued his dominance with 32 points, good for five 3-pointers. Van Gundy said he has gone from “top scorer to great all-round player, one of the best forwards in the league.”
“It was his five threes that hurt us,” he said. “The difference in the game is 3-point shooting. Our 3-point shot wasn’t good enough.”
Nerlens Noel was a late scratch with an ankle sprain, requiring Norvel Pelle to be deployed in the middle. He did well, blocking a shot from Zion Williamson and scoring his first two baskets in 14 minutes.
Thibodeau said he is not bothered by the play-in tournament, which was recently attacked by Dallas owner Mark Cuban. The 7-10 seeds must host a mini-tournament to qualify for the playoffs.
“It has a lot of advantages,” said Thibodeau. “It depends from what perspective you look at it. We have to let it play first and then judge. A lot of teams involved in important games are good for the league.”
The Knicks will face the Mavericks and Kristaps Porzingis on Friday’s two-game road trip.