The New York Knicks have relieved head coach Tom Thibodeau of his duties this afternoon. This is a shock to many in the NBA world. Coach Thibodeau led New York to consecutive 50+ win seasons for the first time since the 1990s. Why did this happen, and how did we get here? Let’s jump straight into it!
Knicks’ Come up Short
Despite a 51-31 record this season, the Knicks’ season ended in heartbreak. After knocking off the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics, they were defeated by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals 4-2. That was the first time that New York had made the Conference Finals in 25 years.
After riding high after beating the Celtics, then crashing and burning against the Pacers, something had to give. New York took two big swings the past two off-seasons. They traded for OG Anunoby two years ago, then traded for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges last season. To move so many future assets to acquire those players and still come up short is a failure.
Thibodeau’s Time in New York
Tom Thibodeau had been the head coach of the New York Knicks for the last five seasons. Coming in after the shortened “Covid season,” where the Knicks had a 4-18 record under David Fizdale and a 17-27 record under Mike Miller, there was only up to go. In his first season, the Knicks experienced an immediate jump in wins, going from 21-61 to 41-41 and making the playoffs.
Over the five seasons he was the coach in New York, Thibodeau had a record of 226-174 (.565 winning percentage). Making the playoffs in four of his five seasons, coach Thibs advanced past the first round in three of the four times his Knicks qualified for the postseason.
Final Thoughts and What’s Next for the Knicks
This is a shocking move for me. I figured the New York Knicks would run it back. Come back with the core of Jalen Brunson, OG, KAT, and Bridges back under head coach Thibodeau. When you examine the landscape of the Eastern Conference, Jayson Tatum’s absence next season will likely result in the Celtics being less competitive.
The Knicks were up 17 in the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the ECF vs the Pacers and blew it. The Cavaliers have shown mental weakness despite having an above-average roster. Then there is the Giannis Antetokounmpo domino. It’s not as if the Knicks are that far away from making the NBA Finals.
As mentioned, this comes as a surprise to me, and this is a bad move, considering how the first season under this core went. This team had the talent to reach the NBA Finals, but they failed in their best opportunity to do so. I don’t know who they will target to fill the void of Thibs. Perhaps Michael Malone, the former head coach of the Nuggets, or Johnnie Bryant, the associate head coach for the Cavaliers who spent four seasons coaching under Thibs. What do you think of the move for the Knicks?
