Tom Thibodeau has known Rick Pitino for many years and endorses his blockbuster hiring as St. John’s recent men’s basketball coach.
“Just really, really comfortable for him. I believe he’s been an excellent coach wherever he’s been,” Thibodeau said before the Knicks’ 140-134 loss to the Timberwolves Monday night on the Garden. “He’s been through loads. Once I was a young coach, I used to go watch his practices at Windfall.
“So he’s a very good man, great coach, and I do know he’ll do an excellent job at St. John’s.”
The 70-year-old Pitino was hired by the Red Storm on Monday after three seasons — and two NCAA Tournament berths — at Iona.
Thibodeau was an assistant coach at Harvard from 1985-89, while Pitino was at Windfall from 1985-87.
Pitino was named Knicks coach after leading the Friars to the 1987 Final 4, before returning to the school ranks at Kentucky two years later.
Thibodeau believes Jalen Brunson, who finished with 23 points and 10 assists, ought to be a candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player award, which Julius Randle (57 points, 4 rebounds) won in 2020-21.
Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen and Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are considered the favorites for the prize.
“I just think that you just have a look at what he’s done. And I believe the vital thing is the impact on winning, for all our players,” Thibodeau said of Brunson, who went 9-for-18 from the sphere and had two turnovers. “And I believe whenever you win, the by-product of winning is people get recognized. So I’m hopeful that he does get recognized, but I don’t want it to wander away.
“We now have various guys that hopefully will likely be up for things, just don’t lose sight, don’t get sidetracked. [But] it’s the impact he’s had on the team … you possibly can’t say enough of what he’s meant to our team just from a leadership standpoint.”
Karl-Anthony Towns (strained right calf) and Anthony Edwards (right ankle sprain) were out for the Timberwolves.
Rudy Gobert (left ankle sprain) was available after being listed as questionable.
