James Dolan joined Carton and Roberts on Friday afternoon and told Craig and Evan that he expects the Knicks to make the playoffs this season, barring any key injuries to players like Julius Randle or Jalen Brunson.
Does that public expectation put any pressure on head coach Tom Thibodeau?
None at all, according to Thibodeau, who added before Saturday’s game against the Nets that he “never” feels any pressure, because he knows the amount of work he puts into the team.
“That's pro sports, it's competitive,” Thibodeau said. “He's not saying anything any other owner wouldn't say. You have to have belief in your team. We have belief.”
The Knicks are currently in the first play-in spot in the Eastern Conference, a scenario they would certainly like to avoid. But with the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA, per Tankathon, and the absence of Mitchell Robinson for potentially weeks, it will be tough to finish as one of the top six teams in a loaded Eastern Conference.
But Thibodeau isn’t sweating his owner’s expectation of the Knicks, and says as long as he and his team are putting in the work, there’s no need to feel any pressure.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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