The Celtics welcomed Tom Thibodeau, the former Knicks coach who led New York to an Eastern Conference Semi-finals series win over Boston last season, to practice Monday morning.
Thibodeau was a big hit with Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
“I think that was awesome having Thibs. Obviously, they eliminated us last year, so him being able to give us some of the thoughts that he saw in that series and some of the stuff that they broke down in our personnel – or even our team, helps us grow and learn from that,” Brown said, after practice. “We lost last year. It stung losing to the Knicks. So, to have Thibs here at our practice and explaining some of things that he saw that helped them beat us only helps me get better, only helps us get better. So, I value that. Shout out to Thibs for being here today.”
The Knicks parted ways with Thibodeau in June, despite him having led the team to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years after beating Boston 4-2. Thibodeau spent three years in Boston as an assistant under then-Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, from 2007 to 20120.
Jayson Tatum engaged in a long, animated conversation with Thibodeau on the practice court sideline following practice. He suffered his ruptured Achilles against Thibodeau’s team in that playoff series, and the Celtics have not indicated when he’s expected to return to NBA play.
But the visit from Thibs went beyond just casual conversation, Brown said.
“He was breaking down some film and stuff like that, talking to Joe,” he shared. “From a team perspective and from a top-down perspective, what he wanted to do with me and Jayson, what he wanted to do when the ball was in my hands. It allows you to grow if you’re humble enough to listen. It will allow you to grow.”