David Fizdale Expects Lance Thomas to Play Draymond Green-Like Role for Knicks
New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale hasn't yet had the opportunity to work with Lance Thomas, but he already has big plans for the 30-year-old forward next season.
"He's a Swiss Army knife-type of player that can guard multiple positions and you can run offense through him," Fizdale said on WFAN (h/t the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy). "I think he can push the ball off the break a lot like Draymond Green plays. Obviously the thing I'm going to demand from Lance is to play defense like Draymond. And be a guy that's pushing to be a First Team All-Defender."
The Daily News' Frank Isola noted this isn't the first time Fizdale has gone out on a limb to hype up one of his players:
Fizdale wasn't necessarily implying Thomas will be as good as Green across the board, but rather his role on the Knicks will be similar to the one Green occupies with the Golden State Warriors.
Even with that consideration, Fizdale is probably setting the bar impossibly high for Thomas.
Thomas is neither the playmaker nor the rebounder Green is. According to Basketball Reference, Thomas is averaging 14.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per 100 possessions compared to 16.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists for Green across their careers.
According to NBA.com, the Knicks were 2.9 points better per 100 possessions with Thomas off the floor this past season as well. Meanwhile, the Warriors got 2.9 points per 100 possessions better with Green on the floor.
Fizdale is right to praise Thomas' defense, though. He held opponents to 40.4 percent shooting, including 32.1 percent on three-pointers, per NBA.com. In that sense, his defensive versatility could have him drawing comparisons to Green down the line.
Still, it's one thing for a new head coach to boost the confidence of one of his players by singing his praises to anyone who will listen. It's another when that coach makes a proclamation so bold it becomes almost laughable.
