News and Features

Sixers confirm interview with Thibodeau

The Philadelphia 76ers confirmed reports that the team met with Boston Celtics Associate Head Coach Tom Thibodeau today in regards to their vacant head coaching position.

Thibodeau, who just completed his second season with the Celtics, is known around the league as one of the best defensive coaches in the NBA, having had teams he has coached rank in the top 10 in team defense 15 times in 19 seasons.

Prior to joining the Celtics, Thibodeau helped the Houston Rockets rank among the top five in the NBA in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense in his four seasons there.

"He's terrific, with unbelievable knowledge," Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers told Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News. "He knows the game, is a great teacher. And he knows more than defense. In some ways, he's so good defensively, people overlook his overall knowledge. Thibs is our defensive assistant, but has offensive input. Armond Hill is our offensive assistant, and he has input in the defense. But as good as all of Thibs' schemes might be, when you lose Kevin Garnett [for most of the season], somehow it doesn't look the same. Thibs' isn't Buddy Ryan. He knows so much more about basketball."

Thibodeau also served as an assistant coach under John Lucas with the Sixers for two seasons.

Per team policy, the team had no further comment on the interview with Thibodeau.