Clippers ask permission to interview Tom Thibodeau - General manager Danny Ainge confirmed...

Clippers ask permission to interview Tom Thibodeau - General manager Danny Ainge confirmed yesterday that the Celtics [team stats] associate coach, considered one of the NBA’s premier defensive strategists, has drawn feelers from the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Hornets regarding their head coaching vacancies.

Boston Herald

about 2 years ago OhMeOhMy 17 comments 0 recs |

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YES

a defensive minded coach!!!!!

by wilriv21 on May 2, 2010 5:17 AM PDT reply actions

I'm glad that we're throwing another name into the hat, and I'm glad that name is Tom Thibodeau.

Defense is what got us into the playoffs 4 years ago, and it’s what we need now. He would just need to surround himself with some quality assistants that would complement he and the team on the offensive end.

by Lawler 4ever on May 2, 2010 1:38 PM PDT reply actions

Huh, and I thought all this time it was Sam I Am ;-)

"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.

by Jax on May 2, 2010 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL well we totally couldn't have done it all without him.

From a team perspective….

We led the league in:
Rebounds Per Game: 43.1
Blocks Per Game: 6.1
Defensive Rebounds Per Game: 33

4th in Opponent’s Field Goal Percentage: .435
5th in Opponent’s 3 Pt Percentage: .347
8th best Defensive Rating: 103.6 (amount of points scored per 100 possessions)

by Lawler 4ever on May 2, 2010 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions

You mean until recently we had a defensive minded coach?

Heh.

Though is there any real evidence that Thibodeau is a good defensive coach? KG turned around the Celtics defense, not coaching. I mean, look what happens to the Celtics’ defense when KG is out with an injury…

Coaches don't matter. - Bill Simmons, The Book of Basketball

by John R on May 3, 2010 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Here are the teams that he has been an assistant with

He had prior work as an assistant for the expansion Wolves team and the Sonics as a scout, but I left those out to focus on the teams that he was primarily an assistant on.

Spurs 92/93-93/94
Philly 94/95-95/96
Knicks 96/97-02/03
Rockets 03/04-06/07
Celtics 07/08-Present

4 out of 5 of those teams were strong defensive teams. In 17 of his 20 seasons, his team has finished the season as a Top 10 defense. One could argue that it’s being the right place at the right time, but being in the right place 85% of the time? The man is as RAR said, a “Defensive Guru.”

by Lawler 4ever on May 3, 2010 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I had no idea he had this much experience.

And the reason why a lot of teams have passed on him has more to do with BOS not wanting to let him go.

"Buckle your seat belts, folks. This one's doing down to the wire." -The inimitable Ralph Lawler.

by Gordon for President on May 4, 2010 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions

The thought of Thibodeau as our coach is pretty orgasmic

Let it happen Oshley!

http://bcnbatalk.wordpress.com/ - Scoops on Hoops!

by peterghost on May 2, 2010 2:34 PM PDT reply actions

looks like the whole league is after this guy!

by big0lbad on May 2, 2010 4:34 PM PDT reply actions

I would suggest that Rivers saved his job by riding Thibodeau and KG

Doc’s only real talent is that he’s a talks a great talk

by banandy on May 3, 2010 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions

If ever there were a time...

for Donald to deploy his “unlimited resources,” this would be it. Make it happen!

by ReignMan on May 2, 2010 7:56 PM PDT reply actions

Unlimited resources?

I don’t think we need to on an unproven commodity. Yes, he’s well-known for his defensive schemes but how well can he lead a team? Who knows, but you don’t need to break the bank on a guy that’s never been an NBA coach. Perhaps he will do great – in that case, give him a fat extension in year 4. But the facts are that he’s been known as a defensive guru for years, yet never been scooped up by another team. Some guys are just career assistants. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, just saying that there’s a lot more involved in being a head coach than scheming on stopping Lebron.

by RAR on May 3, 2010 12:38 AM PDT up reply actions

All I meant to say is that Donald needs to outbid PHI, NO, CHI, etc. I don’t think Thibodeau is going to command a megadeal on the open market, so Sterling just needs to pay a small premium over the going market rate to lock him up.

by ReignMan on May 3, 2010 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Agree with RAR...

He’s been passed on before. There are other potential coaches out there. No need to think this is the best or only guy. Just because he’s a good defensive coach, doesn’t mean he’s a good head coach.
What this news seems to signal is that the Clips are out there doing their due diligence, interviewing assistants, looking for the guy who’d be the best head coach. That’s good news. Personally I’d like to see them name a coach soon, but at least a few weeks before the draft.

by John Raffo on May 3, 2010 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions