Karl-Anthony Cities was coached by Tom Thibodeau for two ¹/₂ seasons early in his NBA profession in Minnesota, and so they did not all the time agree on the younger large man’s improvement.
Even earlier than returning to the Knicks, Cities had already stated what downside there was between them. had been “crushed” and “completed years in the past”.
Cities, 29, stated after Wednesday’s victory towards the Jazz that Thibodeau is “a special man” now and gentler than he was a decade in the past with the Timberwolves, earlier than including: “I like this model by way of 2025.”
“You noticed him smile. I will depart it at that,” Cities stated after recording 31 factors and 21 rebounds within the Knicks’ ninth straight victory forward of Friday’s sport in Oklahoma Metropolis. “I feel all of us develop in life. I’ve grown since our days collectively in Minnesota. He grew up. I feel we’re simply, on this sport of life, we discover ourselves and we get higher on a regular basis.
Cities was named Japanese Convention Participant of the Month for December after averaging 23.2 factors and 14.6 rebounds whereas taking pictures 56.6 p.c in 13 video games. OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33.3 factors per sport) received the award within the West.
Cities is the primary Knick since Patrick Ewing (1989-90) to document a number of video games of 30+ factors and 20+ rebounds in the identical season.
Jalen Brunson (proper calf tightness) and Miles McBride (left hamstring tightness) had been listed as questionable after lacking Wednesday’s sport.
Pacôme Dadiét and Ariel Hukporti had been assigned to G-League Westchester, however not rookie Tyler Kolek, in case he must play.
In early returns for All-Star voting, Cities ranks third within the Japanese Convention frontcourt behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum, which might put him on observe to start out the Feb. 16 showcase occasion at Chase Heart in San Francisco.
Brunson ranks fourth amongst East guards, behind LaMelo Ball, Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard.
Cities on Kolek taking part in 40 minutes in a G-League sport Wednesday, then 12 minutes off the bench for the Knicks later that evening: “Yeah, I used to be very conscious. He performed a whole lot of minutes as we speak. He deserves a break. This goes again to AAU. … I did it, however I by no means had a doubleheader in sooner or later within the NBA. So bravo to him.
