A great guy, and I wish him well... Thibodeau Is Named Wizards Assistant Wednesday, July 4, 2007; E02 After adding more firepower to their offense by taking Southern California swingman Nick Young in the first round of last week's NBA draft, the Washington Wizards made a move to improve their leaky defense by adding Tom Thibodeau to Coach Eddie Jordan's staff. Thibodeau spent the last four seasons as an assistant under Jeff Van Gundy with the Houston Rockets. Van Gundy and his staff were fired following the team's first-round playoff loss. Thibodeau was also an assistant coach with the New York Knicks when Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld was the general manager. In 18 seasons as an NBA assistant, Thibodeau's teams have finished in the top 10 in defense 14 times. The Wizards ranked 28th in scoring defense last season. "We are excited and fortunate to have one of the top NBA assistants join our coaching staff," Jordan said in a statement. "His teams have consistently been among the top defensive teams in the NBA and he has an outstanding reputation in player development and game preparation." Thibodeau replaces Tom Young, who retired, and Bill Berry, who will not be retained. Jordan's current assistants -- Mike O'Koren, Phil Hubbard and Wes Unseld Jr.-- are expected to return but have yet to receive new contract offers from Grunfeld. The Wizards open play in the Las Vegas summer league next week. Assistant coaches traditionally run the summer league team. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/03/AR2007070302280.html
at least he's in the east... This guy deserves a head coach job for the work he did with Yao and rockets defense.
I wish him luck....heard nothing but good things about Thibs, he needed to get to a new staff and show his stuff too. DD
Management cleaned house, I think they wanted to get a fresh start after JVG, notice how much more open the organization is being now? I hope it works out ! DD
Has he ever not been an assistant to JVG? It will be interesting to see how much impact he has on the Wizards' defense. He will have either learned a good defensive scheme from JVG or maybe he was the one who installed the scheme in the first place? Does anyone know if Thibs was basically the coach of the defense and JVG did more of the day to day planning and game preparation?
I'll be following the Wizards a bit this coming season to see just how he affects their defense. Should be interesting.
If he really was the mastermind behind JVG's defense, then I expect no less with him on the Wizards. I wish him well.. can't wait till we meet them this season. They don't really have to worry about offense since their offense is basically the number 0.
IMO, defense is not as difficult as offense. In the NBA, defense is all about energy, hustle, and effort. Offense on the other hand, does require precise plays, simliar to NFL plays.
Awkward situation for him... he's hired to replace Eddie Jordan after next season. IIRC, the article said he's the only assistant with a contract that doesn't end after next season.
DaDa-Is this Bill Berry - former asst under Rudy who left Rox to joing Bulls in '96 or '97? Seemed like a good guy- hope he is not having health problems
The Wizards defense was non-existent last season. If you have a dynamic trio like Gilbert/Caron Butler/Antawn Jamison, all they have to do is play average defense and they will be the #1 or #2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Once they dump Haywood their team chemistry issues should be mostly resolved. Good hire by Eddie Jordan. If the Wizards truly exert themselves on defense next season, they are a Finals contender.
