The New York Knicks have started hot and are their latest play to sign for a big man Taj Gibson is another smart decision of Leon Rose.
Gibson, who was born and raised near Brooklyn, is a highly respected veterinarian who played for the Knicks last season. That’s how the main members of the franchise like it RJ Barrett i Mitchell Robinson they are already familiar with Gibson, a trusted and familiar face for these players.
But more importantly, Gibson brings several years of experience playing with the Knicks head coach. Tom Thibodeau – including stretches from 2010 to 2015 at the Chicago Bulls and from 2017 to 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves.
For a team laden with young players, a timeless “Thibs guy” like Gibson can lend a hand as a translator in the locker room for the famous intense coach. It can also serve as an extension of the coach when he is on the ground considering the experience he brings when it comes to knowing the philosophies and rhythms of a team in the style of Thibodeau.
Tom Thibodeau coached Taj Gibson for seven seasons combined with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. Thibs has always praised Gibson as a professional on and off the court. https://t.co/BlHPkB1HF6
– Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 7, 2021
After injuries to Obi Toppin i Nerlens Noel, the Knicks have had an incredibly thin front track. In response, old man Julius Randle he is currently the league leader in minutes per game and has played more than 60 percent of the possible minutes in New York. Thibodeau is famous for wearing out his players with too much playing time and Gibson may offer some relief to Randle as the season progresses.
Really, while the vet may not bring a lot of long-term value to the list with his game, you still know what to expect when Gibson is on the track. Thibodeau will not have to train Gibson or teach him new skills nor will he ever have to worry about his development.
Since joining the league, he has contributed tenacity regardless of where he has played. Gibson is a hard-mouthed glass cleaner, whose teams have always had a better offensive rebound percentage when he’s been on the court. This helps give second teammates second chance after missed field goals.
Some fans may have doubts about the possibility of releasing them Omari Spellman, who never played a game for the franchise, but was selected in the first round just two years ago. But the truth is, the Knicks never added Spellman because of what was expected of him as a player.
If we look back, during the offseason, the Knicks used their cap space to acquire Ed Davis. The attraction of this play was never to play Davis, rather, they were the two future second-round picks the Jazz sent in to pull out his contract.
Another clever and clever move by the Knicks.
Get a couple of second-round seconds to hire Ed Davis. He then spins Davis for another second-round pick.
Good work from Leon Rose and Brock Aller. Maximizing the boundary space https://t.co/9yUqOLwmtr
– Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) November 23, 2020
New York turned Davis over to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Spellman and Jacob Evans. Once again, however, this move was primarily inspired by fundraising to add another future second round that Minnesota included in the deal. Evans, who also coached the first round in 2018, was sacked before the season began.
Perhaps it was surprising that the Knicks did not re-sign Gibson during the offseason, especially considering that Thibodeau was hired to lead the squad. But if he had been on the roster all the time, they might not have had the space to acquire Davis, Spellman and Evans, who have in their office three future selections.
If they had just re-signed Gibson directly during the offseason, they would have had three fewer assets in their toolkit. In the meantime, they still have Gibson on their roster as a veteran presence of this exciting and fairly young squad.