Heir Apparent?: Celtics, Tom Thibodeau Come to Terms

The Celtics continue to make moves that make sense. 

Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald reports that the team is about to sign Tom Thibodeau to a one-year contract.

Is it possible the Celtics just added Doc Rivers' successor? They certainly gave Doc the kind of help he needed.

Tom wiggled out of that agreement shortly after it was made—for reasons unknown, other than that it wasn't a good fit.

Thibodeau spent four years under Jeff Van Gundy in Houston, and was a Knicks assistant for seven years before that. He is known for his defensive acumen...and has the resume to prove it.

Houston was among the NBA's top defensive teams during Van Gundy's tenure. Thibodeau has been given credit for much of that success; the Rockets were in the top five in total points and field goal percentage allowed in Thibodeau's four seasons.

In New York, Thibodeau worked under Don Chaney for two years and Van Gundy for five more. The Knicks set a then-NBA record by holding opponents under 100 points for 33 consecutive games in the 2000-01 season.

Thibodeau has 18 years coaching experience and has coached 87 playoff games. He coached the Knicks in the 1999 NBA Finals. In his 18 seasons, his teams have finished in the top ten in overall defense 14 times.

That sounds like  a perfect fit for Boston.

Thibodeau is signing a one-year contract with the Celtics. It's strategic, if you know what I mean.

Once again, Danny Ainge does what others didn't think he could. It was mentioned in more than a few places that no really good assistant coach would want to come to the Celtics on a one-year deal. 

 

Wrong again.

 

This just feels right. The right guy at the right time. It doesn't look like we'll get Dikembe Mutumbo (my other summer hope), but we got a coach who gives us what we need.

 

I understand that even Tracy McGrady plays a little defense now and then for the Rockets. If Thibodeau could accomplish that, it means that there's hope for the Celtics...who are led by two stars—Ray Allen and Paul Pierce—not known for their defensive prowess.

 

I'll be curious to see how Doc and Tom get along, and how the team shapes up. The concern with this roster, and with Doc, has always been defense.

 

Final note: Tom hails from New Britain, Connecticut, making him a home boy for the region.

 

The Celtic Summer of Love rolls on.