The Thibodeau Dilemma: Why the Knicks Coach Finally Needs to Embrace His Bench
For years, it’s been the NBA’s version of Groundhog Day. Tom Thibodeau rolls out his starters for 40+ minutes, runs them into the ground, and we all watch as they gasp for air in fourth quarters like they’re climbing Everest without oxygen tanks. But after the Knicks’ season-saving 111-94 Game 5 victory over the Pacers, we might—finally—be witnessing a pivot in the Thibs philosophy that’s been about 15 years in the making.
The Old Thibodeau Way: More Minutes, More Problems
The Tom Thibodeau coaching experience has always been pretty straightforward: identify your best 7-8 guys, play them until their legs fall off, and trust absolutely nobody else unless the arena is literally on fire. It’s a strategy that’s gotten him regular season wins and a Coach of the Year award, but has left a trail of exhausted players in its wake.
This season has been classic Thibs. The Knicks starters lead the NBA in total minutes played by more than 500 minutes over the next closest team. It’s not even close. Jalen Brunson has been averaging more minutes per game than a court-appointed attorney with 300 active cases.
But here’s the thing about the Pacers—they’re young, they’re athletic, and they run like they’re being chased by rabid dogs. Playing a seven-man rotation against Indiana is like trying to outrun a Tesla in a school bus. It just doesn’t compute.
Game 5’s Revelation: The Bench Actually Exists
The Knicks’ backs were against the wall facing elimination, and something fascinating happened: Thibs blinked. He expanded his rotation and gave meaningful minutes to players who, for most of the playoffs, have been glorified cheerleaders.
Landry Shamet logged 14 solid minutes, contributing 5 points while playing impressive defense on TJ McConnell and Pascal Siakam. Delon Wright, another player usually relegated to garbage time, played 13 minutes of quality basketball. Their contributions went beyond the box score, allowing the Knicks’ starters precious rest while maintaining defensive intensity.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who’s been playing through knee issues, got enough breathers to finish with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Meanwhile, Brunson turned in a masterclass with 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting, looking fresher than he has all series.
Why The Old Formula Doesn’t Work Anymore
The modern NBA has fundamentally changed since Thibs developed his coaching philosophy. Teams are playing at faster paces. Three-pointers are flying at record rates. The physical toll of defending constant movement and covering more court space is greater than ever.
NBA starters have missed 50% more games due to injury since 2012. That’s not a coincidence—it’s a warning sign.
When Thibodeau was asked about his minute allocation earlier in his career, his response was always some version of: “Jordan and Pippen played big minutes and they were fine.” But that comparison doesn’t hold water anymore. The game is different, the physical demands are different, and most importantly, the depth of talent across rosters is different.
The Foul Trouble Factor
Another critical reason Thibodeau needs to embrace his bench is the foul situation. In this series, both Brunson and Towns have found themselves in foul trouble at various points. When your stars are sitting because of fouls rather than because you’ve chosen to rest them, you’re playing defense with your rotation.
In Game 3, when Brunson picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, it was Wright and Shamet who helped steady the ship, contributing to the improbable comeback from 13 points down to win 106-100. Their combined stat line wasn’t eye-popping (Wright: 2 points in 13 minutes; Shamet: 3 points in 11 minutes), but their defensive presence was exactly what the Knicks needed.
The Pacers’ Depth Advantage
Indiana has been thriving because they’re willing to go 10 deep. While the Knicks’ starters have been gasping for air by the fourth quarter in previous games, the Pacers have been able to maintain their frenetic pace because coach Rick Carlisle distributes minutes more evenly.
It’s like the difference between a sprinter and a marathon runner. The Pacers’ rotation allows each player to sprint for shorter bursts, maintaining high energy throughout the game. The Knicks have been trying to sprint a marathon with just a handful of players.
The Historical Precedent: When Thibs Has (Rarely) Adjusted
This isn’t the first time Thibodeau has shown glimpses of adaptation. During his stint with the Bulls, he was notoriously stubborn about playing Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah massive minutes. The result? A series of injuries that many attribute to overuse.
But there have been moments when Thibs has surprised us. Earlier this season, he showed adaptability by benching veterans like Evan Fournier when it became clear they weren’t fitting into the team’s plans. It was a departure from his usual loyalty to established players.
The results of Game 5 speak for themselves. By expanding his rotation, Thibodeau created a situation where his stars could play with more energy during their minutes on court. Brunson’s shooting efficiency was off the charts, and Mikal Bridges had the energy to limit Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton to just eight points.
What The Players Are Saying
The players themselves have been diplomatic but clear about the need for more bench usage. Earlier in the year, Knicks forward Mikal Bridges highlighted the importance of utilizing the entire roster: “It would help keep us all fresh and improve our overall performance if we could spread the minutes more.”
After Game 5, Towns praised the contributions of Shamet: “He stays ready so he doesn’t have to get ready. That’s the mark of a true professional.”
Game 6 and Beyond: The New Thibs Template?
As the Knicks prepare for Game 6 in Indiana, the question becomes whether Thibodeau will continue with this expanded rotation or revert to his comfort zone of riding his starters. The evidence suggests he should stick with what worked in Game 5.
The Pacers aren’t going to slow down. Their young legs and home court will push them to play even faster. If the Knicks want to force a Game 7, they’ll need every ounce of energy from their stars—which means strategic rest through bench utilization is essential.
This could be the evolution of Tom Thibodeau we’ve all been waiting for. A coach known for his defensive brilliance and motivational skills finally embracing the reality that less can sometimes be more when it comes to minutes for your top players.
The Bottom Line
Tom Thibodeau was famously voted by NBA players as the coach they would least want to play for, securing a whopping 43% of votes in a poll conducted by The Athletic. His demanding style and heavy minutes have earned him both admirers and critics.
But if the Knicks can complete this comeback against Indiana, it might represent something more significant than just another playoff series win. It could signal the evolution of a coach who has finally recognized that in today’s NBA, depth isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
For a franchise that hasn’t advanced past the second round in over a decade, Thibodeau’s willingness to trust his bench might be the adjustment that makes all the difference. And for a coach who has often been critiqued for his stubbornness, it could be the adaptation that defines the later chapter of his career.
As the Knicks head to Indiana for Game 6, their season hanging in the balance, they’ll need every weapon in their arsenal—including those guys at the end of the bench who, it turns out, can actually play a little basketball after all.