The New York Knicks started hot and their last move to score a great man Taj Gibson is yet another smart decision of Leon Rose.
Gibson, who was born and raised nearby in Brooklyn, is a well-respected veterinarian who played for the Knicks last season. So the basic members of the franchise like it RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson they are already familiar with Gibson, a face of confidence and familiarity to these players.
More importantly, however, Gibson brings a few years of experience playing under Knicks’ head coach Tom Thibodeau – including stretches from 2010 to 2015 on the Chicago Bulls and 2017 to 2017 on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
For a team full of young players, a long-time “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 floor, given the expertise he brings in knowing the philosophies and rhythms of a Thibodeau-style team.
Tom Thibodeau coached the Taj Gibson in seven seasons combined with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. Thibs has always praised Gibson as a professional on and off the field. https://t.co/BlHPkB1HF6
– Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 7, 2021
Following injuries to Obi Toppin and Nerlens NoelThe Knicks had an incredibly thin face. In response, man Julius Randle is currently the league leader in a few minutes per game and has played over 60% of the possible minutes for New York. Thibodeau is infamous because he has worn out his players with too much playing time and Gibson can provide relief for Randle as the season progresses.
Realistically, even if the vet may not bring a ton of long-term value to his game list, you still know what to expect when Gibson is on the field. Thibodeau will not have to train Gibson or teach him new skills, nor will he have to worry about his development.
Ever since he joined the league, he has brought tenacity no matter where he played. Gibson is a toughened glass cleaner whose teams have always had a better offensive recovery percentage when on the field. This helps his teammates to have a second chance after missed field goals.
Some fans may have concerns about the potential release Omari Spellman, who never played a franchise game, but was selected in the first round just two years ago. But the truth is, Knicks never added Spellman because of his expectations as a player.
Looking back, during the off-season, the Knicks used their cap space to gain Ed Davis. The allure of this move was never to play Davis, rather, it was the next two rounds of the second round that Jazz sent in to sign his contract.
Another clever / smart move here by the Knicks.
Get a pair of side-by-side tournaments to get the Ed Davis contract. Then return Davis for another selection in the second round.
Good job Leon Rose and Brock Aller. Maximizing lid space https://t.co/9yUqOLwmtr
– Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) November 23, 2020
Then New York turned Davis into the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Spellman and Jacob Evans. However, once again, this move was primarily inspired by asset collection to add another secondary future that Minnesota included in the transaction. Evans, who was also the first-round pick in 2018, was dropped before the season began.
It may have come as a surprise that the Knicks did not sign Gibson again during the season, especially given that Thibodeau was hired to lead the team. But if he had been on the roster all the time, he might not have had room on the roster to acquire Davis, Spellman and Evans – who are in their top three future selection projects.
If they had just re-signed Gibson during the season, they would have had three fewer assets in their toolkit. While waiting, they will still have Gibson on their list as a veteran presence for this interesting and otherwise quite young team.