Knicks rookie president Leon Rose said he “didn’t have a timeline” to break the seven-year playoff drought, but feels he has hired a smart player development coach who will accelerate his journey.
Thibodeau promoted his two pieces of bedrock in RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson and admitted that two other young prospects, Kevin Knox and Frank Ntilikina, have been through “difficulties”. Thibodeau said he doesn’t want to rush to court until he works with them, probably in mid-August on the OTAs for “Delete 8”.
In a Zoom call, Rose first faced questions from the media when she introduced Thibodeau as her head coach.
“We have not established a timeline. We are taking it one day at a time. We feel like Tom was that coach who can take us through development to become a perennial winner. That happens step by step, ”said Rose. “At the moment we do not know what will advance the list. We have decisions that we have to make. The important thing is to instill culture, focus on development and take it from there. ”
The Knicks have several of their own free agents who must decide whether to exercise their option, but Knox and Ntilikina are in the midst of their rookie contracts. A 2017 lottery pick, Ntilikina arrived later this season. Knox, his 2018 lottery pick, vanished.
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“With Frank and Kevin, they are both talented youngsters,” Thibodeau said. With that said, I’m not making any real observations until I can get close to them. Like most young players, there are difficulties growing up and there are steps players need to take. Sometimes we measure men with established men and you forget the steps those men must take to get where they are. It is an important part of this. Understanding how you get there is work, sacrifice and commitment. One’s determination and perseverance is fundamental to their development. “
Rose recently called Barrett and Robinson their two cornerstones. The Post has reported that Thibodeau is eager to work with Robinson, an elite shot blocker, to make him an even more polished defender.
“I want to surround the players to work with them and get to know them better,” said Thibodeau. Based on the movie, I really think RJ has a very bright future as does Mitchell Robinson. Those are two that stand out. But we have a lot of young talent. I don’t like to rate people until I get over them. “
Rose has to make a decision on whether to exercise team options over Taj Gibson, Reggie Bullock, Elfrid Payton and Bobby Portis. Maurice Harkless is an absolute free agent. Gibson has previously played for Thibodeau in Minnesota and Chicago and could be a candidate to return. Portis and Payton are expected to be goners.
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