Tom Thibodeau Had Knee Replacement Surgery

It’s not just NBA players who go under the knife for their knees, y’know. Coaches sometimes have to endure the procedure, too, as Tom Thibodeau recently found out. The Chicago Tribune reports: “Thibodeau underwent partial right knee replacement surgery on July 13 to fix a painful arthritic condition dating to an injury from his playing days at Salem (Mass.) State. Thibodeau tore cartilage in college and had his meniscus completely removed during the ensuing surgery, leaving bone to basically rub on bone for the last 30 years. Colleagues said the condition began affecting what little sleep Thibodeau bagged last season. Befitting the tough-minded team he led to a league-high 62 victories and Eastern Conference finals berth last season, Thibodeau never discussed the situation, even making light of it on Thursday. ‘It’s my kicking leg,’ he said, in reference to his custom to stand virtually the entire game and occasionally object to calls. Thibodeau, 53, did turn serious when discussing the benefits the surgery will bring. ‘I worked out every day in Boston and my previous (NBA) stops,’ Thibodeau said. ‘I didn’t work out last year. It’s good to do so again.'”