New York Knicks dismiss head coach Tom Thibodeau following Eastern Conference finals appearance, according to an Associated Press insider.
Ditching Thibodeau: The Knicks' Surprising Decision
In a shocking turn of events, the New York Knicks have cut ties with Tom Thibodeau—the man who led them to their deepest playoff run in 25 years. The Knicks bowed out in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers, falling just two games short of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Despite this, Thibodeau was given his walking papers on Tuesday.
The organization decided it was time for change, even though Thibodeau had been their guiding force since 2020, turning a perennially struggling franchise into a solid contender in the Eastern Conference. With a record of 226-174 in New York, Thibodeau now ranks fourth in wins among Knicks coaches.
It's peculiar, to say the least. The Knicks had been mired in mediocrity for most of the 2000s but revived their fortunes under Thibodeau. He got them back into the playoffs during his first season, earning his second Coach of the Year award, and managed to keep the Knicks competitive in the East for several seasons.
The decision was made by team president Leon Rose, with approval from owner Jim Dolan. After Saturday's Game 6 loss, Thibodeau was asked what the Knicks needed to do to advance further, to which he responded, "You take a step back, I think decompress. You do a deep dive on the team, and then you analyze what you think you need to improve upon."
Thibodeau's hard-driving coaching style had drawbacks, with critics claiming that it wore down his players and mirroring concerns from his coaching stints with the Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. However, his methods seemed to work in New York, where his gruff demeanor resonated with fans who craved the defense-oriented success of the 1990s.
Even the celebrities that packed Madison Square Garden approved of Thibodeau. Actor Ben Stiller, who watched the playoff run from his courtside seat, wrote on social media, "I am a Tom Thibodeau fan. He brought this team back. I felt he gave every bit of himself and was always looking to improve. I will always be grateful for how far he brought the Knicks. They are relevant again. They are championship contenders again. The Knicks became winners again with him."
The Knicks have been on a roll lately, winning a playoff series for the third straight season. In 2023-24, they finished with a remarkable 50-32 record, and followed that up with a solid 51-31 campaign this season. To bolster their roster, they acquired All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges in the offseason.
Still, the Knicks felt a new voice was required to help them end their lengthy championship drought. The franchise won its second and last title in 1973. Thibodeau, who grew up as a Knicks fan in Connecticut, and joined the organization as an assistant coach in 1996, is well aware of their history. He went on to help the Boston Celtics win the 2008 NBA title as a defensive assistant, earning a reputation as one of the league's top defensive minds, before getting his chance as a head coach with the Bulls in 2010-11.
Sources indicate that the Knicks are keen on landing a coach with a distinctive vision and the ability to push the team towards championship glory. Whether this means Gregg Popovich, Jason Kidd, or another candidate remains to be seen. The Knicks and their fans eagerly await the next chapter in the team's storied history.
The New York Knicks, despite Thibodeau's impressive tenure, have chosen to pursue a new direction, aiming to find a coach who can guide them towards their first NBA title since 1973. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, recent additions to the team, prepare for their roles in this revamped basketball squad, eager to make their mark in the NBA and the storied Knicks franchise.
