Donte DiVincenzo just gave Knicks fans another reason to love him

Donte DiVincenzo, currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, continues to exhibit unwavering loyalty to the New York Knicks and his former head coach Tom Thibodeau, even after his trade, as highlighted in a story shared by Fred Katz of The Athletic.

During The Athletic's annual anonymous player poll, which this year asked players to identify the "worst coach" instead of the previous question about whom they'd least like to play for, DiVincenzo was reported to have followed reporters conducting the poll and aggressively defended Thibodeau, insisting that he is the best coach and should not be named negatively in the responses.

The 2023-24 Knicks team is described as exceptionally close-knit, gritty, and embodying an underdog persona, with key players like Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Isaiah Hartenstein, Julius Randle, Deuce McBride, and OG Anunoby contributing to a blue-collar, us-against-the-world identity that made them fan favorites despite occasional difficulties in gameplay.

Thibodeau's coaching style, while not universally appealing, resonated deeply with certain players such as DiVincenzo and Brunson, but roster changes involving acquisitions like Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns increased expectations and pressure, ultimately revealing Thibodeau's mismatch in optimizing the team's offensive strategy, leading to his replacement by Mike Brown, who is seen as a better offensive tactician.

Despite Thibodeau's departure and the team's evolution, fans and players like DiVincenzo maintain a special appreciation for him and the memorable 2023-24 squad, underscoring the lasting impact of that period.