SAN FRANCISCO — Throughout one of many extra disappointing performances of his Knicks profession, Josh Hart obtained right into a heated argument with Tom Thibodeau within the fourth quarter Saturday.
Hart, who scored zero factors on seven photographs, was noticed going backwards and forwards with the coach throughout a timeout, with Thibodeau seated and angrily shouting on the standing participant.
Each downplayed the trade after the 97-94 defeat to the Warriors.
“You all know me. You know my feelings towards Thibs,” Hart stated. “You’re not going to discover a extra loyal participant. I really like Thibs. I feel that was simply my frustration popping out with the circulate of the sport, my very own particular person efficiency.
“Yeah, I was just, you know, it was just something that just happened in the heat of the moment. I’m a competitor. Obviously, he’s a competitor. So sometimes those things happen. I don’t think it really — it doesn’t affect our relationship. It doesn’t show anything of what’s going on. It’s just two extremely competitive people in a fiery moment. I love Thibs. I love what he’s doing. And he’s putting us in the best position to be successful.”
Thibodeau agreed it was a “passionate moment.”
Assistant coach Rick Brunson intervened as the 2 had been arguing.
“I love Josh,” Thibodeau stated. “It was whatever to get us going, to try to get us going.”
Hart added that he’s been pissed off along with his play with out Jalen Brunson, who’s out with a badly sprained ankle.
“Without No. 11, sometimes we’re not as organized,” Hart stated. “One thing about us, the ball screen by myself is in more actions. Now, the role is a little bit different, more catch and shoot. I’m trying to figure out how to be effective in that way.”
The argument with Thibs comes a number of days after Mikal Bridges criticized Thibodeau’s minutes distribution.
These two met earlier than Wednesday’s sport in opposition to the Blazers, in response to a supply, and reportedly cleared the air.
Bridges completed with 19 factors in 38 minutes in opposition to the Warriors.
The ball strain from Miles McBride, who’s logging extra minutes with Brunson shelved, has been a boon to the protection.
It was evident Saturday as McBride shadowed Steph Curry, who had 28 factors however shot simply 8-for-20 with three turnovers.
“A lot. The physicality, too. He plays a lot bigger than his size,” Thibodeau stated of McBride. “He can guard multiple positions. You can do a bit more switching with him. But he has great anticipation, and I think the ability to pick up the ball full-court is huge for us.”
Within the first three video games with out Brunson, the Knicks had been 2-1 with the fourth-best defensive score within the NBA. McBride’s protection additionally has taken slightly burden off Mikal Bridges, who has responded offensively with higher effectivity.
