Tom Thibodeau sees Chris Paul as reason for Suns' success
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul shoots over Brooklyn Nets forward Bruce Brown for a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Barclays Center on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
When the Knicks and Suns took the court at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, it presented not only a test for the Knicks’ status as the NBA’s hottest team with a nine-game winning streak but a showcase for the Suns, who own the second-best record in the NBA.
But it wasn’t just about this night. The two teams are linked in a number of ways — from the decision years ago by the Knicks to pass on Mikal Bridges and opt for Kevin Knox to the head coaches, Monty Williams and Tom Thibodeau, competing as front-runners for Coach of the Year honors. And then there is the one other little detail, which Thibodeau was happy to point out when asked what the difference is for the Suns and Williams this season.
"Probably Chris Paul," Thibodeau said. "You add the foundation and then you put a player like Chris into the mix."
That’s the other link for these two franchises. Paul was on the market in the offseason, a difference-making point guard whom the Oklahoma City Thunder were looking to unload. They were kick-starting a rebuild and had little use for a 35-year-old point guard with two years and $85 million left on his contract.
Coming off a 21-45 season, the Knicks — with a new coaching staff and, maybe most important, a new president in Leon Rose — were in dire need of a floor general. They were interested, but that had to work both ways.
"I’ve watched him a long time, so you always think when that time of the year comes, you look at all the possibilities and you think about who could fit your team," Thibodeau said. "And it has to work both ways. The type of player that he is, we knew he’d look around. You also look at the window, look at where he is age-wise and what he was looking for. We knew he would have a lot of options. I’m happy with the guys we’ve got; I’m sure he’s happy with the decision he made."
So, Thibodeau was asked, if the Knicks had interest in Paul, does that mean Paul didn’t have interest in the Knicks?
"Well, I don’t think he liked the president here," Thibodeau said before breaking into a smile and adding, "Obviously, I’m just kidding when I say that. Leon represented him for a long time."
Part of the decision to hand the reins to Rose was his relationships with players such as Paul.
"A player like that, you look at where he is, at what stage he’s at in his career," Thibodeau said. "He’s looking at what he feels would be the best fit for him. And he’s earned that over an incredible career. So you’d have to ask him what came down to his decision. But he’s a very bright, thoughtful guy. He’s going to think things through."
Maybe he would have thought differently if the Knicks already had shown some of the improvement that they have made under Thibodeau this season. It’s a point that the front office certainly hopes will change the perception of players to want to join in what they are building.
While Williams and Thibodeau are friends, having worked together on Team USA, and Thibodeau has high praise for the job he’s done in Phoenix, Thibodeau’s own players are not shy about whom they would vote for in the Coach of the Year balloting.
RJ Barrett, who said a few days ago "he better be in the running," explained his thoughts Monday.
"I think Thibs has done a great job," he said. "For us to have really the same starting lineup, a lot of the same players, and completely turn it around like we have this year, it’s really a credit to Thibs, his staff, guys getting better. I think to have the same group that we did last year to come and do this now, I feel like you got to give it to Thibs."
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
