New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau walked into the Boston Celtics' practice facility this week – a team he hasn't been associated with in the better part of 15 years.
A few months after the Knicks knocked Boston out of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Thibodeau traveled to Boston to help educate the team.
Jaylen Brown said the visit gave him a new perspective on the issues in the series and how to fix them.
“I think it’s great to have Tinbu,” Brown said. “Obviously, they eliminated us last year, so he was able to give us some ideas from what he saw in that series and some of the things they broke down within our personnel and even our team to help us grow and learn from that.”
The 28-year-old said Thibodeau's honest feedback and film details have helped him and Jayson Tatum better understand how opponents game plan against them.
“It hurts to lose to the Knicks,” Brown admitted. “Having Thibodeau here explain some of the things that helped them beat us just helps me get better, just helps us get better. So I take that seriously. Thanks to Thibodeau for being here today.”
Thibodeau didn't just watch from the sidelines, he watched film with Joe Mazzula and Celtics stars, breaking down last season's playoff series in detail.
“He was breaking down some movies and stuff and talking to Joe,” Brown said. “From a team standpoint and a top-down standpoint — what does he want to do with me and Jason, what does he want to do when the ball is in my hands. If you're humble enough to listen, it'll make you grow.”
Mazzula, who led Boston to the league's best record in 2024, said the former Knicks head coach brings valuable perspective.
“He’s won championships here — just having him around makes me better and makes our team better,” Mazzula said.
From 2007 to 2010, Tibbs served as an assistant coach with the Celtics and achieved great results, winning the NBA championship in 2008 and reaching the Finals in 2010.
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