PG: Knicks almost lose the huge lead, Brunson goes down with an ankle injury, but they win.

[mpharris36]

there are def freak injuries and I wont blame everything on thibs but to act like thibs is a "normal" HC in terms of minutes distribution and playing through injuries for regular season wins is also being a little facetious as well.

Mitch had no business going back into the game after getting hurt - reckless HC decision from thibs

Grimes had no business going back into the game after getting hurt - reckless HC decision from thibs

if you argue against either you aren't being fair. I can make the case Randle shouldn't have been out there vs the heat but lets not even put that on him.

Thibs also needs to read the game (like he says himself). We were up 20 and the starters were just going through the motions...that does tend to lead to more odd injuries because players aren't focused. He could have trusted other guys to manage the bigger lead because they will still play hard and defend vs a bad grizzlies team.

I'm not going to blame the Brunson injury on him because a turned ankle can happen at anytime. But there are clear cases of negligent coaching from him. And if you want to say hey we are winning...I get it...but also realize he's been down this road before...both his Twolves and Bulls teams always limped to the finish line in the playoffs because of his reckless coaching in the regular season.

I get it we love winning...and he has instilled that every game is important and changed the culture. We also are at a point where playoffs are now more important than a singular regular season game. And I don't think that is in Thibs DNA to realize that because injuries have always creeped up with his team during the playoffs.

That simply isn't a coincidence...

i appreciate this measured approach to the discussion. i fully agree with not taking risks with injuries.

i tend to not care about playoff matchups, but i disagree with being at the point where wins don't matter. if you can avoid boston until the ECF by being 2 or 3 seed, it's in your best interest to do that. if you can face a non-miami play-in team in the first round, it's in your best interest to do that. and i say all that with a pretty strong belief that thibs doesn't care who is in front of him on a given day.

i also think last night proves the opposite. as thibs says, NBA players are too good to take for granted. every team can lose every game. leads aren't safe untl they're mathematically clinched.

winning is indeed more fun than fun is fun, but i don't lose it over each loss. i try to look at the whole picture. and i WILL agree that load management will be a component of the big picture as we get into the playoffs. dare i say it's important to clinch a seeding before giving guys too much rest. and even then, the catch 22 is keeping everyone in sync for when it matters. it's a dynamic thing and we don't have all the info to go too far with our assumptions in any direction.

I think that is completely fair. I guess I look at it like if we need to go through Boston anyway to get to where we want to go does it really matter if we play them in Round 2 or Round 3?

At the end of the day if we aren't healthy going into the playoffs that will be more detrimental to our playoff success then the difference between the 2nd or 3rd seed and the 4th or 5th seed IMO.

[3toheadmelo]

Read on Twitter

Cavalry is coming, Burks and brown to the rescue!

[Jeff Van Gully]

there are def freak injuries and I wont blame everything on thibs but to act like thibs is a "normal" HC in terms of minutes distribution and playing through injuries for regular season wins is also being a little facetious as well.

Mitch had no business going back into the game after getting hurt - reckless HC decision from thibs

Grimes had no business going back into the game after getting hurt - reckless HC decision from thibs

if you argue against either you aren't being fair. I can make the case Randle shouldn't have been out there vs the heat but lets not even put that on him.

Thibs also needs to read the game (like he says himself). We were up 20 and the starters were just going through the motions...that does tend to lead to more odd injuries because players aren't focused. He could have trusted other guys to manage the bigger lead because they will still play hard and defend vs a bad grizzlies team.

I'm not going to blame the Brunson injury on him because a turned ankle can happen at anytime. But there are clear cases of negligent coaching from him. And if you want to say hey we are winning...I get it...but also realize he's been down this road before...both his Twolves and Bulls teams always limped to the finish line in the playoffs because of his reckless coaching in the regular season.

I get it we love winning...and he has instilled that every game is important and changed the culture. We also are at a point where playoffs are now more important than a singular regular season game. And I don't think that is in Thibs DNA to realize that because injuries have always creeped up with his team during the playoffs.

That simply isn't a coincidence...

i appreciate this measured approach to the discussion. i fully agree with not taking risks with injuries.

i tend to not care about playoff matchups, but i disagree with being at the point where wins don't matter. if you can avoid boston until the ECF by being 2 or 3 seed, it's in your best interest to do that. if you can face a non-miami play-in team in the first round, it's in your best interest to do that. and i say all that with a pretty strong belief that thibs doesn't care who is in front of him on a given day.

i also think last night proves the opposite. as thibs says, NBA players are too good to take for granted. every team can lose every game. leads aren't safe untl they're mathematically clinched.

winning is indeed more fun than fun is fun, but i don't lose it over each loss. i try to look at the whole picture. and i WILL agree that load management will be a component of the big picture as we get into the playoffs. dare i say it's important to clinch a seeding before giving guys too much rest. and even then, the catch 22 is keeping everyone in sync for when it matters. it's a dynamic thing and we don't have all the info to go too far with our assumptions in any direction.

I think that is completely fair. I guess I look at it like if we need to go through Boston anyway to get to where we want to go does it really matter if we play them in Round 2 or Round 3?

At the end of the day if we aren't healthy going into the playoffs that will be more detrimental to our playoff success then the difference between the 2nd or 3rd seed and the 4th or 5th seed IMO.

agreed. i just think the fairest approach is respect that there's no easy answer.

also, i'd rather face a boston at their most worn. especially if i've got the balboan team that thrives on iron will and capacity to outlast. generally i agree with you, but boston is the one team i feel like we need every advantage we can get. we'd need to drag them down into the mud.

[louisorr]

Brunson and Hart both injured.?
Coincidentally, the 2 guys who played all summer for team USA
I blame them!
Thibs, you're off the hook.

[mpharris36]

i appreciate this measured approach to the discussion. i fully agree with not taking risks with injuries.

i tend to not care about playoff matchups, but i disagree with being at the point where wins don't matter. if you can avoid boston until the ECF by being 2 or 3 seed, it's in your best interest to do that. if you can face a non-miami play-in team in the first round, it's in your best interest to do that. and i say all that with a pretty strong belief that thibs doesn't care who is in front of him on a given day.

i also think last night proves the opposite. as thibs says, NBA players are too good to take for granted. every team can lose every game. leads aren't safe untl they're mathematically clinched.

winning is indeed more fun than fun is fun, but i don't lose it over each loss. i try to look at the whole picture. and i WILL agree that load management will be a component of the big picture as we get into the playoffs. dare i say it's important to clinch a seeding before giving guys too much rest. and even then, the catch 22 is keeping everyone in sync for when it matters. it's a dynamic thing and we don't have all the info to go too far with our assumptions in any direction.

I think that is completely fair. I guess I look at it like if we need to go through Boston anyway to get to where we want to go does it really matter if we play them in Round 2 or Round 3?

At the end of the day if we aren't healthy going into the playoffs that will be more detrimental to our playoff success then the difference between the 2nd or 3rd seed and the 4th or 5th seed IMO.

agreed. i just think the fairest approach is respect that there's no easy answer.

also, i'd rather face a boston at their most worn. especially if i've got the balboan team that thrives on iron will and capacity to outlast. generally i agree with you, but boston is the one team i feel like we need every advantage we can get. we'd need to drag them down into the mud.

All this is true...but if you have a banged up Brunson or Randle or OG....our chances of winning aren't good in the 2nd or 3rd round. I'm not blaming this all on thibs but I am also not absolving him from all the injuries are just "bad luck". There is some clear causation to his actions when its comes to his coached teams. We have years of data from CHI (rose/deng) alway banged up in the playoffs to MIN (jimmy butler)...ect

[HEZI]

You kind of have to hold everybody accountable including trainers, medical staff and players themselves. Players are allowed to say they are a no go if they aren’t feeling right. Nobody can force a player to play if he’s not able to. Also the medical team and trainers are responsible for helping determine who should and shouldn’t play.

But also let’s not act like players aren’t looking to achieve goals and accolades which help with their bonuses in their contracts. Players will put their health at risk if it means chasing certain personal achievements that results in more money for them. There are a lot of factors and not all of it is just as simple as Thibs is nuts. Thibs is nuts but at the same time if you don’t think Brunson isn’t also chasing an All NBA accolade then you are nuts too. If you don’t think Hartenstein isn’t chasing a nice pay check then you are nuts too.

[Jeff Van Gully]

I think that is completely fair. I guess I look at it like if we need to go through Boston anyway to get to where we want to go does it really matter if we play them in Round 2 or Round 3?

At the end of the day if we aren't healthy going into the playoffs that will be more detrimental to our playoff success then the difference between the 2nd or 3rd seed and the 4th or 5th seed IMO.

agreed. i just think the fairest approach is respect that there's no easy answer.

also, i'd rather face a boston at their most worn. especially if i've got the balboan team that thrives on iron will and capacity to outlast. generally i agree with you, but boston is the one team i feel like we need every advantage we can get. we'd need to drag them down into the mud.

All this is true...but if you have a banged up Brunson or Randle or OG....our chances of winning aren't good in the 2nd or 3rd round. I'm not blaming this all on thibs but I am also not absolving him from all the injuries are just "bad luck". There is some clear causation to his actions when its comes to his coached teams. We have years of data from CHI (rose/deng) alway banged up in the playoffs to MIN (jimmy butler)...ect

agreed. and not lumping you in here, but when every injury becomes "**** thibs!" it's hard to take seriously. especially the recent contact ones.

[DOT]

And if you want to say hey we are winning...I get it...but also realize he's been down this road before...both his Twolves and Bulls teams always limped to the finish line in the playoffs because of his reckless coaching in the regular season.

I get it we love winning...and he has instilled that every game is important and changed the culture. We also are at a point where playoffs are now more important than a singular regular season game. And I don't think that is in Thibs DNA to realize that because injuries have always creeped up with his teams leading up to the playoffs.

That simply isn't a coincidence...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhic_victory

[mpharris36]

agreed. i just think the fairest approach is respect that there's no easy answer.

also, i'd rather face a boston at their most worn. especially if i've got the balboan team that thrives on iron will and capacity to outlast. generally i agree with you, but boston is the one team i feel like we need every advantage we can get. we'd need to drag them down into the mud.

All this is true...but if you have a banged up Brunson or Randle or OG....our chances of winning aren't good in the 2nd or 3rd round. I'm not blaming this all on thibs but I am also not absolving him from all the injuries are just "bad luck". There is some clear causation to his actions when its comes to his coached teams. We have years of data from CHI (rose/deng) alway banged up in the playoffs to MIN (jimmy butler)...ect

agreed. and not lumping you in here, but when every injury becomes "**** thibs!" it's hard to take seriously. especially the recent contact ones.

true...I think that it just comes down to reputation (good and bad)...thibs is an easy target because he has a history. That doesn't mean every injury is on him though.

[mpharris36]

And if you want to say hey we are winning...I get it...but also realize he's been down this road before...both his Twolves and Bulls teams always limped to the finish line in the playoffs because of his reckless coaching in the regular season.

I get it we love winning...and he has instilled that every game is important and changed the culture. We also are at a point where playoffs are now more important than a singular regular season game. And I don't think that is in Thibs DNA to realize that because injuries have always creeped up with his teams leading up to the playoffs.

That simply isn't a coincidence...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhic_victory

He says it in the post game all the time. Winning is all that matters...and he coaches to win each and every time he is out there. I get thats a mindset that needed to be instilled into our team when winning was not at a premium. However now that our team is getting better and our goals are changing a bit...you do have to realize a win is a win but at what cost to the greater picture?

[mpharris36]

You kind of have to hold everybody accountable including trainers, medical staff and players themselves. Players are allowed to say they are a no go if they aren’t feeling right. Nobody can force a player to play if he’s not able to. Also the medical team and trainers are responsible for helping determine who should and shouldn’t play.

But also let’s not act like players aren’t looking to achieve goals and accolades which help with their bonuses in their contracts. Players will put their health at risk if it means chasing certain personal achievements that results in more money for them. There are a lot of factors and not all of it is just as simple as Thibs is nuts. Thibs is nuts but at the same time if you don’t think Brunson isn’t also chasing an All NBA accolade then you are nuts too. If you don’t think Hartenstein isn’t chasing a nice pay check then you are nuts too.

its def not just a one way street. But if the rumors are true and Thibs soured on Grimes in the playoffs because he didn't play through an injury...you can also have guys worried about being put in the doghouse if they don't have the thibs mindset...win at all costs.

So yes, players def want to play...however sometimes as a coach you need to protect your players even against themselves.

[moocow007]

This is another example of why I keep pushing for another primary offensive option. It's clear (at least to me) that Thibs is riding the few guys that he has that he can rely on creating offense (considering his system is not based on offensive play calling). There is more than enough "shots to go around". Just look at the minutes and the rotation he's been using. They need another primary offensive option. So not Bruce Brown and the like but rather someone that can get 20 points a night on any given night. This is why Derek Rose got worn down so early in his career. Thibs didn't have enough other options and rode DRose like Secretariat.

[3toheadmelo]

This is another example of why I keep pushing for another primary offensive option. It's clear (at least to me) that Thibs is riding the few guys that he has that he can rely on creating offense (considering his system is not based on offensive play calling). There is more than enough "shots to go around". Just look at the minutes and the rotation he's been using. They need another primary offensive option. So not Bruce Brown and the like but rather someone that can get 20 points a night on any given night.

no caruso either. these guys make no sense.

[moocow007]

This is another example of why I keep pushing for another primary offensive option. It's clear (at least to me) that Thibs is riding the few guys that he has that he can rely on creating offense (considering his system is not based on offensive play calling). There is more than enough "shots to go around". Just look at the minutes and the rotation he's been using. They need another primary offensive option. So not Bruce Brown and the like but rather someone that can get 20 points a night on any given night.

no caruso either. these guys make no sense.

Exactly. Caruso is fine as an additional get, but can't be the only get. This is where the Murray's, the Kuzma's, the DeRozan's come in. Oh but the shots?!?! What if they aren't happy with their roles?!!? Screw that. Screw "but what about Grimes". There ARE shots and as a result they'll be fine with their roles. And if they're not you can move them in the offseason.

[jvsimonetti0514]

there are def freak injuries and I wont blame everything on thibs but to act like thibs is a "normal" HC in terms of minutes distribution and playing through injuries for regular season wins is also being a little facetious as well.

Mitch had no business going back into the game after getting hurt - reckless HC decision from thibs

Grimes had no business going back into the game after getting hurt - reckless HC decision from thibs

if you argue against either you aren't being fair. I can make the case Randle shouldn't have been out there vs the heat but lets not even put that on him.

Thibs also needs to read the game (like he says himself). We were up 20 and the starters were just going through the motions...that does tend to lead to more odd injuries because players aren't focused. He could have trusted other guys to manage the bigger lead because they will still play hard and defend vs a bad grizzlies team.

I'm not going to blame the Brunson injury on him because a turned ankle can happen at anytime. But there are clear cases of negligent coaching from him. And if you want to say hey we are winning...I get it...but also realize he's been down this road before...both his Twolves and Bulls teams always limped to the finish line in the playoffs because of his reckless coaching in the regular season.

I get it we love winning...and he has instilled that every game is important and changed the culture. We also are at a point where playoffs are now more important than a singular regular season game. And I don't think that is in Thibs DNA to realize that because injuries have always creeped up with his teams leading up to the playoffs.

That simply isn't a coincidence...

Do you think the players have no say on whether they can go back into the game after they’re injured? I always imagine that the player and the training staff made the decision and relayed their availability to the coach. I think it’s more likely that Mitch and grimes thought they felt better on the sideline and wanted to get back out there, when they shouldn’t have than Thibs dragging them back onto the floor. That’s not to say running an 8 man rotation in February is a good idea and is going to add more wear and tear on their bodies. It’s obvious a valid discussion about finding minutes for Evan, Flynn, and Toppin but I don’t think Thibs is trotting these guys out there against their will.

[mpharris36]

there are def freak injuries and I wont blame everything on thibs but to act like thibs is a "normal" HC in terms of minutes distribution and playing through injuries for regular season wins is also being a little facetious as well.

Mitch had no business going back into the game after getting hurt - reckless HC decision from thibs

Grimes had no business going back into the game after getting hurt - reckless HC decision from thibs

if you argue against either you aren't being fair. I can make the case Randle shouldn't have been out there vs the heat but lets not even put that on him.

Thibs also needs to read the game (like he says himself). We were up 20 and the starters were just going through the motions...that does tend to lead to more odd injuries because players aren't focused. He could have trusted other guys to manage the bigger lead because they will still play hard and defend vs a bad grizzlies team.

I'm not going to blame the Brunson injury on him because a turned ankle can happen at anytime. But there are clear cases of negligent coaching from him. And if you want to say hey we are winning...I get it...but also realize he's been down this road before...both his Twolves and Bulls teams always limped to the finish line in the playoffs because of his reckless coaching in the regular season.

I get it we love winning...and he has instilled that every game is important and changed the culture. We also are at a point where playoffs are now more important than a singular regular season game. And I don't think that is in Thibs DNA to realize that because injuries have always creeped up with his teams leading up to the playoffs.

That simply isn't a coincidence...

Do you think the players have no say on whether they can go back into the game after they’re injured? I always imagine that the player and the training staff made the decision and relayed their availability to the coach. I think it’s more likely that Mitch and grimes thought they felt better on the sideline and wanted to get back out there, when they shouldn’t have than Thibs dragging them back onto the floor. That’s not to say running an 8 man rotation in February is a good idea and is going to add more wear and tear on their bodies. It’s obvious a valid discussion about finding minutes for Evan, Flynn, and Toppin but I don’t think Thibs is trotting these guys out there against their will.

when there are multiple reports that Thibs sours on guys if they don't play through injuries...you can maybe see why guys would probably try to fight to get back out there.

[cgmw]

there are def freak injuries and I wont blame everything on thibs but to act like thibs is a "normal" HC in terms of minutes distribution and playing through injuries for regular season wins is also being a little facetious as well.

Mitch had no business going back into the game after getting hurt - reckless HC decision from thibs

Grimes had no business going back into the game after getting hurt - reckless HC decision from thibs

if you argue against either you aren't being fair. I can make the case Randle shouldn't have been out there vs the heat but lets not even put that on him.

Thibs also needs to read the game (like he says himself). We were up 20 and the starters were just going through the motions...that does tend to lead to more odd injuries because players aren't focused. He could have trusted other guys to manage the bigger lead because they will still play hard and defend vs a bad grizzlies team.

I'm not going to blame the Brunson injury on him because a turned ankle can happen at anytime. But there are clear cases of negligent coaching from him. And if you want to say hey we are winning...I get it...but also realize he's been down this road before...both his Twolves and Bulls teams always limped to the finish line in the playoffs because of his reckless coaching in the regular season.

I get it we love winning...and he has instilled that every game is important and changed the culture. We also are at a point where playoffs are now more important than a singular regular season game. And I don't think that is in Thibs DNA to realize that because injuries have always creeped up with his teams leading up to the playoffs.

That simply isn't a coincidence...

What’s great about fans being tough guys saying “it’s not Thibs” is that the entire professional basketball universe already understands and openly acknowledges that this is exactly Thibs’ MO which is why he’s rated the coach that players would least like to play for.

There are some very smart posters on here saying some very foolish things rn.

Thibs plays heavier minutes, through pain, at much higher intensity levels, and with higher levels of contact at the rim than any other coach in the sport. Injuries are the predictable consequence. So is playoff burnout.

Other predictable consequences are overperformance in the regular season and absolute stardom from high usage iso players. He’s doing the job he was hired to do. Leon had his eyes wide open when he made this choice.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Damn bro

Read on Twitter

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[Fat Kat]

Read on Twitter

[cgmw]

Damn bro

Read on Twitter

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Except Hartenstein is playing with achilles tendinitis from being the only 7 footer who runs the same mileage per game as Steph Curry.