If you asked anyone in the sporting world at the beginning of this NBA season, what were the chances that the New York Knicks would make the playoffs, after the laughter, they would have said no chance.

The odds were astronomical, but this team beat the odds and finished the 4th best in the NBA Eastern Conference.

Much of that credit goes to Tom Thibodeau, who was just named NBA’s Coach of the Year.

Coach Thibodeau found a way to motivate a young team, he combined the perfect veterans for leader ship, and improved the Knicks by 20 wins over last season.

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The Knicks fell short to another much-improved team, the Atlanta Hawks, who were in a similar situation a few seasons ago, but lessons were learned and experience gained.

Thibodeau grew up a Knicks fan and was on the coaching staff during the 1990’s Knicks squad, and having him back in New York as their head coach is no accident.

In spite of the first-round exit in the playoffs, the Knicks did have a magical season, Julius Randle was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player, the addition of a rejuvenated Derrick Rose, the improvement from RJ Barrett, and the two draft pick rookies Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin.

This is the second time Thibodeau has earned this honor in his first season,, he won the first time in 2011 as coach of the Chicago Bulls.

I watched the interview last night on TNT when Kenny Smith asks Coach about what it means to have this award, and Thibodeau credited the entire staff from management to players to the fans.

I said this in several of my articles throughout the season, that this team is finally being built the right way, from the ground up.

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The New York Knicks have the right people in the right places, and with plenty of draft picks, and cap money to build on this past season, I have to believe that this team will be better next year.

My father is a Knicks fan, and he is the reason I have been a lifelong fan, congratulations to Coach Tom Thibodeau, thank you for the start of something really special.

Go Knicks!

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