Quotes from Tom Thibodeau

Every game reveals exactly where you are. We should have a good understanding after every game why we either won or lost that game.

There are many people who say all the right things and never do any of the right things.

As a head coach, you're always concerned how you pace the team.

I've always been partial to good players. If someone is a good player I'm interested.

Passing and defense are two things that help build your team, brings the best out of people.

You have to believe - to me, the only way a team can improve is you have to be sharp.

I never work backwards.

Your core beliefs of what it takes to win, I don't think those change.

I have great respect for the Heat organization, the way they play, what Pat Riley has done there, Erik Spoelstra.

I grew up in Connecticut, so obviously I'm a Patriots fan.

I think the big thing is you look at your team, and you always think about ways that you can improve.

When you don't have your own team and you're not worried about who you are playing next, you have a much broader view on everything.

I think we all learn probably more from our mistakes than we do our successes.

I think the playoffs heighten everything, you're fighting the same opponent over and over again.

I never look at a clock. When the work's done, the work's done.

Most players, they want to be coached, they want discipline, and they want an environment in which they can play their best.

You are only wrong if you don't communicate.

Every player is different. And you want them to play to their strengths, and cover up their weaknesses.

I think as you're approaching Draft day, you're thinking about all of the possibilities, and you know that's one way you can improve your club.

We're all going to get criticized for something. I've always been comfortable with that.

In some cases where the team is mixed, there's almost two practices going on in one, where your young guys are getting the work they need, and the older vets are in the weight room getting strength and conditioning.

There's a lot that goes into development. Oftentimes people say, well, you have to play them in a game. And you do. But you also have practices, which is where it starts. You have to get that part down first. Then you have to have film study, meetings with your coaches and you also have to have the opportunity to use the G-League.

I was in Philadelphia when Kobe was a senior in high school and he used to come to all our practices and I would work him out.

Normally a summer league is a dry run for training camp, gives the guys an idea what training camp looks like, and then summer league, you're not really playing against NBA rotation type players, so not a good example of the talent level you'll be facing, but the fall practices give you a good head start.