NEW ORLEANS – Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy said an unprecedented factor in the rise of the Knicks this season was to name an extra training camp for the new coach, Tom Thibodeau, in late summer. system to come.
Although it appeared in late September / early October before free agency and the draft, Knicks and the so-called “Delete 8” offered almost two weeks of organized team activities. Van Gundy said the Knicks retained most of the players who participated in the OTAs.
Van Gundy, who, like his brother Jeff, is a friend of Thibodeau’s, said the Knicks season for the 2019-2020 was damaged by David Fizdale’s early shooting, which destroyed the continuity.
This Knicks campaign could no longer differ from a stability standpoint and continued with their fourth consecutive victory, 116-106, over the Pelicans on Wednesday.
“Tom got that extra training camp in the summer with the bubble to put things together so he gets a little more time,” Van Gundy said. ‘So they did the same thing all year. It helps, guys, if players play the same system all year long. Continuity is a useful thing and Tom is an excellent coach and they were able to learn the system and play the system from summer to training camp in season. ‘
As a new coach, Van Gundy did not have the time because the Pelicans were in the Orlando bubble with former coach Alvin Gentry. Van Gundy explained that it is fair that the “Delete 8” teams have those OTAs because their seasons have been cut short.
Thibodeau said the OTAs were helpful in building more than anything ‘relationships’ between the new coaching staff, front office and players.
The Knicks are 29-27, and Van Gundy said they “play as well as any team in the East.” ‘He is not surprised by the record or that they became a setback to the nineties with low points. games. ” Similar to his brother’s groups when Thibodeau was his assistant.
“I’m not really surprised,” Van Gundy said. “I do not know why everyone is surprised. If you look at the East, their talent definitely matches the Middle East. I do not look at the team and say that they have no one. Their talent is pretty good, definitely compared to the Middle East. I’m not entirely sure why everyone is surprised, but whatever. ‘
Julius Randle continued his dominance with 32 points, scoring five tries. Van Gundy said he had disappeared from a “great scorer to a great player, one of the best forwards in the league.”
“It was his five tries that hurt us,” he said. ‘The difference in the game is shooting three points. Our three-point shooting was not good enough. ”
Nerlens Noel was a late scorer with a single sprain, forcing Norvel Pelle in the middle. He performed well by blocking a shot from Zion Williamson and scoring his first two baskets in 14 minutes.
Thibodeau said he is not worried about the tournament that was recently attacked by Dallas owner Mark Cuban. The seed of 7-10 must set up a mini-tournament to qualify for the playoffs.
“There are a lot of benefits to it,” Thibodeau said. ‘It depends on what perspective you look at it. We have to let it play first and then judge it. Many teams involved in important matches are good for the league. ‘
The Knicks will take on the Mavericks and Kristaps Porzingis on Friday.