In a recent poll conducted by The Athletic, NBA players voiced their preferences regarding which coaches they would least want to play for, and the results highlighted a lack of admiration for two seasoned coaches: Tom Thibodeau and Doc Rivers. This marks the second consecutive year that Thibodeau, the head coach of the New York Knicks, has garnered the most votes, with a significant 46.8 percent of respondents expressing their reluctance to play under his leadership. Rivers, currently with the Milwaukee Bucks, trailed behind with 9.1 percent of the votes.

The criticism directed towards Thibodeau primarily centered around his rigorous practice routines and demanding workload, which some players deemed as overly strenuous. One player bluntly remarked, “I’m too old for those practices.” While Thibodeau’s coaching style has evolved to incorporate deeper rotations, his penchant for deploying star players for extended minutes remains a point of contention among NBA athletes.

Despite the reservations expressed by players, it’s undeniable that Thibodeau has achieved considerable success in the regular season throughout his coaching career. With only three losing seasons in 12 years as an NBA head coach, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to elevate undermanned rosters through his strategic acumen, particularly on the defensive end.

On the other hand, Doc Rivers, boasting a remarkable coaching record and ranking as the eighth-winningest coach in NBA history, has faced criticism for his playoff shortcomings since clinching the 2008 championship with the Boston Celtics. Former NBA guard JJ Redick, who played under Rivers during his tenure with the LA Clippers, recently spoke out against the coach, accusing him of scapegoating players and failing to take accountability for his team’s failures.

As Thibodeau and Rivers navigate the complexities of coaching in the NBA, their approaches and reputations among players underscore the multifaceted dynamics that influence player-coach relationships within the league.