Thibs dismisses the excuse for the horrible Knicks starting 5 "That's a bunch of bulls**t"
"You know what they say: When it's 10 games, they say you need 20. When you say 20, they say you need 30; at 30, you say 40. And before you know it, the season is over. So that's a bunch of bulls**t." That's how head coach Tom Thibodeau responded to the idea he just needs to give his starting five more time to develop chemistry together after benching them for the entire fourth quarter vs. the Bucks on Wednesday. So how bad are the Knicks starting five?
Worst in the league
You could say the Knicks starting five vs. their bench unit is as close to Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde performance we've seen in a long time. The only thing is, usually, the bench unit is Mr. Hyde.
With the addition of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, the starting five surely needs time to develop chemistry. But worst of any qualifying lineup in the NBA shouldn't be used to describe them. Even if there were a list of coaches who would give a unit more time, we all know Thibs would never be on such a list.
Recommended Articles
At least they have the second unit
While the starting five is struggling, Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, and Taj Gibson are playing tremendous basketball. The second most used Knicks group is keeping the Knicks alive in most games, and the main reason they are above .500, seventh in the East with a 7-6 record. After the game, Derrick Rose was asked about the strange fact the team is 2-4 at home and 5-2 away.
"S**t, I really don't know. I can't put a finger on it. Like I said, it's kinda hard processing it right now. Four points away; that's the only thing that's on my mind, you know what I mean? Four points with like three or four minutes left -- like, man. Gotta find a way, you know? But I can't put a finger on that."
Derrick Rose, postgame
Rose was referring to the fact the bench unit came four points away against the Bucks but couldn't complete the comeback after going on an 18-6 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The home-court part will likely even out; as long as their play their hearts out, which Thibs teams always do, the Garden will have the Knicks back.
But the starting unit needs to figure out what's wrong, because "before you know it, the season is over "
