Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau gives 2-word response to shut down reporter's question on Karl-Anthony Towns

New York Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau remained tight-lipped about new trade acquisition Karl-Anthony Towns on Monday's Media Day. The impending official announcement of the deal limited him and others from the team from talking about it. However, one of the reporters got cheeky with a question, asking Thibodeau about his history with Towns from their days together in Minnesota.

"Good try," Thibodeau said.

Thibodeau coached Towns from 2016 to 2019. The veteran coach's reign up north started on a promising note as he guided the franchise to their first playoff appearance in 14 years during the 2017-18 season.

However, he was let go in January 2019 after a bunch of locker room issues that saw Jimmy Butler's controversial departure to Philadelphia in the offseason, followed by the team's poor run of performances.

Tom Thibodeau and Karl-Anthony Towns will reunite in a much better situation this time around. The Knicks are among the favorites to reach the conference finals, and their chances of doing so have seemingly improved with Towns' addition, who is an excellent fit.

Towns will fill a glaring hole at the center position. His addition also helped the Knicks tackle one of their biggest questions heading into the season about Julius Randle's role on the team, who was packaged to Minnesota in this trade.

Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau and Karl-Anthony Towns have come a long way

Tom Thibodeau and Karl-Anthony Towns were at loggerheads during the former's stint as a coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Their conflicting personalities caused issues between the two. They reportedly didn't talk to each other by the time Thibodeau got fired.

However, that seems to be behind them. According to Timberwolves' beat reporter Jon Krawczynski, Towns has found a 'new appreciation' for what Thibodeau brought to the Timberwolves. Their understanding has improved since.

Thibodeau and Towns must ensure they don't repeat what happened five years ago, as that could significantly hinder the Knicks' progress. Neither could have had a more favorable situation than they boast now to win their first titles as coach and player, respectively.

Karl-Anthony Towns will return to his favored center position after playing the last two seasons at the four since the Timberwolves acquired Rudy Gobert. Meanwhile, Tom Thibodeau gets his dream center, who can space the floor and provide more on the offensive end than Mitchell Robinson and the departed Isaiah Hartenstein.

The Knicks are equipped to compensate for KAT's defensive limitation with four excellent perimeter defenders in Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Miles McBride and Josh Hart.