The New York Knicks are again within the Japanese Convention Finals for the primary time in 25 years.
Notably, they’re going to play the identical crew that beat them on that stage.
On paper, they’re the higher crew.
However we’ve seen paper be meaningless so many occasions previously.
With that in thoughts, Mike Francesa provided Tom Thibodeau a bit of recommendation.
Within the newest version of his podcast, he urged Thibodeau to belief his second unit, particularly Mitchell Robinson:
“The Knicks outscored the Celtics on this collection, dramatically when Robinson was on the ground,” he stated.
“The Knicks outscored the Celtics on this collection, dramatically when Robinson was on the ground.”@MikeFrancesa says Tom Thibodeau must belief his bench within the Japanese Convention Last 🏀 pic.twitter.com/TirISFq9fJ
— The Mike Francesa Podcast (@FrancesaPodcast) Might 18, 2025
Nonetheless, that’s simply not the best way Thibodeau handles enterprise, in order that piece of recommendation will more than likely go unnoticed.
He has a protracted and well-documented historical past of operating his gamers into the bottom, particularly when issues aren’t going his approach.
He doesn’t belief his rookies or his bench gamers, and as a substitute of attempting to make changes, he’ll proceed to roll with 5 – 6 gamers till they determine issues out.
That has not often labored for him within the playoffs, and it has typically led to exhaustion and accidents.
Hopefully, that gained’t be the case this time round.
The Indiana Pacers are a deep crew that can roll with 9 or 10 gamers evening in and evening out, and the Knicks gained’t be capable to sustain with their quick tempo in the event that they don’t give the starters a breather every so often.
These shall be crucial video games in trendy franchise historical past, and Thibodeau shall be within the eye of the storm and closely scrutinized throughout this collection.
NEXT: Jalen Brunson Will get Trustworthy About Celtics Enjoying With out Jayson Tatum
