Tom Thibodo was asked when point guard Elfried Payton (hamstring) would return from his hamstring injury. Now this is the least of his problems.
Following his media availability ahead of Tuesday’s game in San Antonio, the Knicks announced that recent starter Derrick Rose is out for the health and safety COVID-19 protocol. It was not immediately clear whether he tested positive or came in close contact with someone with COVID-19.
This could mean being out everyday after the All-Star break. The Knicks finished on the first half Thursday against Detroit.
Rose was supposed to start his fourth straight game but usually takes a week in all protocols, especially if he was in contact with someone with COVID-19.
“I just decide what’s best for the team,” Thibodo said when asked who will be the future starter when everyone is healthy.
Frank Nitlikina got a start against the Spurs, and Austin River, who had been missing from the rotation, was finally ready to go to a game as a backup.
Thibodo finally addressed why he often refuses to treat garbage time like garbage and stickouts with his top players in the fourth quarter.
“It’s just a read on the game, what’s going on,” Thibodo said. “The way people can make land with 3s, there is no lead safe.”
First-time All-Star Julius Randley played all 12 minutes of Detroit’s fourth quarter on Sunday.
Nerlens Noel, the Knicks’ lone true center, played the final nine minutes on the second night of back-to-back.
The Knicks finished fourth overall in Detroit with a lead of 19 or more – except that it dropped to 17 with 55 seconds left.
When told that the lead seemed to be very safe against the worst team in the past, Thibodo said, “I have a lot of confidence on our bench, but we are trying to find a rhythm with the people we have And we have different groups. There is a lot that has gone into it and these are just coaching decisions. “
First-year coach Steve Nash won in the NBA’s Coach of the Month for February, which led the Nets to a 9–4 record. Eric Spoelstra and Mike Budenholzer received votes. Thibodo was shut down last month after going 9–5, revolving around a franchise that was grueling for seven straight seasons.
“I never see that stuff, so for me the focus has to be on the team,” Thibodo said. “Steve has done a terrific job, happy for him. Great coach, great person. And they are being a one-year-old cat. So congratulations to him. I want my focus to be on what is supposed to happen the next day.” ‘
In August, famed Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told The Post Thibodo that “there was a seasoned veteran who understands without saying what wins, what loses. He knows how to put on a program, a culture.” Be made, demand it. ”
Popovich has proved the presentation with an 18–17 record of the Nucks recorded on Tuesday.
“Equal to Pop, no surprise,” Popovich said before facing the Knicks. “He has standards, holds everyone accountable, clings to them. And you see the result. He is doing a good job. ”
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