Tom Thibodeau uses advanced stats, but places more value in the trained eyes of his basketball staff.

“Stats are important,’’ Thibodeau said. “We’ve always used stats; they just weren’t called advanced metrics as far back as the ’90s. Now it’s taken on a whole different meaning. I think stats are important, but I also think the trained eye is more important, and usually the numbers will confirm what you’re thinking or make you look at something a little differently.’’

Thibodeau coached under Jeff Van Gundy with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. 

“When I was in New York,’’ Thibodeau said, ‘‘Jeff Van Gundy was there, and he had been under Pat Riley. He always believed in stats. I’ve always thought it was an important part of the game.’’