Top 5 NBA players who benefited from playing under Tom Thibodeau

Tom Thibodeau is the personification of a hard-nosed coach, and while a lot about what is said about his coaching is hyperbolic, Tom Thibodeau's teams win, and are known for their toughness.

He has helped develop talent into superstars and helped former superstars get back a semblance of their greatness. Who are the players Tom Thibodeau has helped make better under his tutelage?

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Players who have grown under Tom Thibodeau

#5 Alec Burks

With Tom Thibodeau, Alec Burks has found a productive home

Alec Burks is the type of player Tom Thibodeau needs on his team. He isn't the best player; he isn't the best scorer, rebounder or passer, yet at the end of games last season Burks was the Knicks' closer.

At the end of shot clocks and the final game clock, Burks was given the ball to exploit his one-on-one advantage over the defense. That type of confidence in Burks is how coaches like Tom Thibodeau teach their younger players the potential of their hard work.

Though Burks' scoring average is the lowest in a few years, he does well with his 26 minutes on the floor.

#4 Joakim Noah

The origin of Tom Thibodeau's identity

Joakim Noah became an NBA All-Star and the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year under Tom Thibodeau. Noah was tired of losing early on, and when things began to turn around in Chicago with the explosive emergence of Derrick Rose after the hiring of Tom Thibodeau, Joakim Noah's career also began to take off.

Noah was the perfect piece for Tom Thibodeau: a passionate big that gets after everything on the floor. Joakim Noah was one to hold himself accountable under Coach Thibs, and while they've had their disagreements, there is no pro coach that Joakim Noah would endorse more than Tom Thibodeau.

He brought out the fire in Noah and was also able to bridle Noah emotionally to win games.

#3 Julius Randle

Julius Randle became an MVP candidate under Tom Thibodeau

Under Tom Thibodeau, Julius Randle went from a player many thought could be a bust to becoming one of the best players in the NBA last season. Again, it is trust; loyalty that Tom Thibodeau instills throughout the organizations he's a part of.

Randle went from 19 points to 24 points in scoring average in 2021 and his usage rate increased accordingly to 29.3 -- up from 27.6. As the anticipation of the 2021-22 season approaches, one of the players expected to continue an upward climb is Julius Randle, and there will be no doubt that Tom Thibodeau will challenge him the same as he has the next on this list.

#2 Derrick Rose

If any NBA coach knows Derrick Rose it's Tom Thibodeau

What more can be said about Derrick Rose and Tom Thibodeau? He was Rose's coach when he became the youngest MVP in NBA history at 22 years old, helped resurrect Rose in Minnesota with the Timberwolves, and utilized Rose as a leader to help change the culture of the New York Knicks.

This is the season it may all come together in New York, and the fact that Tom Thibodeau believes in Derrick Rose so much speaks to his loyalty as an NBA head coach. Often, all it takes is someone believing in you, and Thibs knows the struggle of Derrick Rose going through injuries for three straight years.

He didn't give up on Derrick Rose, because Derrick Rose didn't give up on himself -- as many would have. Here's what Tom Thibodeau told ESPN about Derrick Rose:

"If you look at any times in his career where Derrick Rose has been healthy, he's been one of the best players in the league. I have a comfort level with him, and he has a comfort level with me."

"But Derrick it's a great story, because a lot of guys thought he would walk away. To sit out one season with an injury is difficult. To have to go through that 3 consecutive years and then to still have the wherewithall to get to the other side, and push through and be the player that he is today. He's been phenomenal for us."

"He's probably doing it more now with his knowledge of the game and how to manage his body. Early on in his career, like most young guys they're doing it more on athleticism and their talent, but he's got the whole package going now. You put Derrick Rose in a big game, good things are going to happen."

Straight-up loyalty and nothing but loyalty. That what makes the great coaches great: they understand what it takes to galvanize and keep a team together as long as possible.

Teaching through the example of Derrick Rose will definitely help Immanuel Quickley and especially Obi Toppin as he hopefully gets better quickly in a blur.

#1 Jimmy Butler

Tom Thibodeau helped make Jimmy Butler a NBA superstar

Jimmy Butler became the best player on this list by navigating the NBA process and adding what his upbringing has taught him. The resilience is masterful. Tom Thibodeau and Jimmy Butler have that in common.

The 4 time NBA All-Star, who has been named to 5 All-defensive teams, was the 2014-15 NBA Most Improved Player and it all began with Tom Thibodeau in Chicago. You know the story of Jimmy Butler. What do you see and how does the symmetry with Tom Thibodeau show in Jimmy Butler's game now?

Butler's emergence in Chicago was subtle. His numbers will never jump off the page, yet if you don't think he's one of the best players in the league, you might want to follow another sport. It's a shame things didn't work out in Chicago with Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler, but trust me, Tom Thibodeau tried everything he could to keep that situation sane.

Sometimes things just don't work out, and I'm of the belief it all was out of Tom Thibodeau's hands. In the aftermath, Jimmy Butler has established himself as a great two-way player. If there is any player that resembles what Tom Thibodau personifies, it is Jimmy Butler -- and that's no diss to Derrick Rose.

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