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The Knicks continued carefully filling out Tom Thibodeau’s coaching staff today. There are now two trusted assistants known for their development acumen. First it was Kentucky’s Kenny Payne and now it’s Utah’s skills guru, Johnnie Bryant.
The New York Knicks are hiring Utah Jazz assistant Johnnie Bryant as associate head coach under Tom Thibodeau, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 18, 2020
Bryant is still under contract with the Jazz, so he will finish the season with them before taking his affairs to the city what don’t catch no winks. Utah is down 0-1 in their series with the Nuggets, despite Donovan Mitchell dumping in 57 points. It sounds like Bryant will be missed. Maybe they’ll miss Mitchell soon too.
Wow. Johnnie Bryant leaving the Jazz for a promotion with the Knicks. He’s renowned for his player development. This is a big loss for Utah. https://t.co/5U9A9oPrxz
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) August 18, 2020
JB is one of the best development guys in the league and has a very close relationship with Jazz star Donovan Mitchell https://t.co/7b2jCD2Xx5
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) August 18, 2020
Bryant and Mitchell have developed quite the good working relationship and they have been working together for a while at this point, as Marc Berman noted in this article from 2018.
Post story I did on Johnnie Bryant talking up Donovan Mitchell during his rookie season with #Jazz. Now Bryant is coming to New York https://t.co/tpVgHCFZzt via @nypostsports
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) August 18, 2020
First it was Walt Perrin from the front office. Now Johnnie Bryant from the sideline. Can they get someone from the court to complete the set? If so that would be a triumvirate. Three powerful figures. A triangle. Always see everything, Toasters.
Whatever happens, I’m not worried. Are you worried?
1. Everything’s unprecedented, until it happens.
— Jazz Fan (@utahjazzman47) August 18, 2020
2. Even if Donovan demands a trade, Jazz don’t have to trade him, and especially don’t have to trade him to the Knicks. https://t.co/eX7po11ntm
We said Johnnie Bryant, you said trade. Not saying anything, just sayin!