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Despite taking the New York Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals apperance in 25 years last year, head coach Tom Thibodeau was fired at the end of the season and replaced by journeyman coach Mike Brown. Now, Thibodeau seems to be getting his revenge.
According to reports, Tom Thibodeau was in attendance at the Boston Celtics’ practice on Monday — just two days ahead of their season-opener against the Philadelphia 76es — and broke down film of the Knicks with the team, in addition to sharing other insights.
Prior to being fire after their Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Indiana Pacers, Thibodeau led the Knicks to a win over the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinal, leading them to their first ECF since the year 2000 (where they lost in six games to the Pacers).
Tom Thibodeau visited the Boston Celtics and broke down tape of the New York Knicks with them
“That was awesome having Thibs. Obviously, they eliminated us last year. So him being able to kind of give us some of the thoughts that he saw in that series and some of the stuff that they broke down in our personnel, or even our team, helps us grow and learn from that,” Celtics star Jaylen Brown told reporters.
“To have Thibs here at our practice explaining some of the things that he saw that helped them beat us only helps me get better, only helps us get better. So I value that. He was breaking down some film and stuff like that, talking to Joe from a team perspective and from a top-down perspective; what he wanted to do with me and Jayson (Tatum) or what he wanted to do with the ball in my hands,” Brown continued.
“It allows you to grow. If you’re humble enough to listen, it’ll allow you to grow. … This was a unique position where a guy could come in — directly after (eliminating you) — and give us some feedback on how we can be better, how I can be better. So I value that. That was great.”
Given the Achilles injury that Jayson Tatum suffered during the series against the Knicks, which will likely keep hm out for the entirety of the season, the Celtics have fallen out of the NBA’s elite tier, at least as far as the betting odds are concerned.
On the eve of the 2025-25 season, the Celtics have odds of +3000 to win the NBA title, which is longe odds than the likes of the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic.