NY Knicks Relieve Head Coach Tom Thibodeau of Duties Following Eastern Conference Finals Defeat
The New York Knicks have axed head coach Tom Thibodeau, barely a week after bowing out in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the news being broken first by Shams Charania of ESPN.
Thibodeau had ushered the Knicks into their most triumphant epoch in around two decades. Overseeing the franchise, the Knicks clinched playoff spots in four out of five seasons, amassed 50 wins consecutively for the first time since 1993-95, and reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a quarter century.
Yet, the Knicks allegedly deemed that there was little left for Thibodeau to accomplish with this roster. The coach's tendency to lack faith in his bench is a well-established critique, which became apparent until relief arrived when the Knicks trailed 2-0 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Both Delon Wright and Landry Shamet saw significant court time, thriving in their opportunities and underscoring Thibodeau's benching blunders.
Charania also revealed that the Knicks' front office reckoned it was high time for a new voice in the locker room.
Just before Thibodeau's sacking, start guard Jalen Brunson openly expressed his support for the coach. Brunson's best years have coincided with Thibodeau's tenure, earning two All-Star and two All-NBA team nods.
Thibodeau exits his Knicks escapade with a 226-174 (.565) win-loss record and was honored with the Coach of the Year award in 2021.
Who Might Take On Thibodeau's Role?
Initial speculation pegs two possible candidates - Michael Malone and Jay Wright.
Malone last worked for the Denver Nuggets until the regular season's tail end, boasting a championship pedigree and helming Denver to the title in 2023. However, a potential drawback for the Nuggets' brass was Malone's reluctance to place trust in young players, sharing Thibodeau's coaching style.
Wright, who famously guided Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart under his Villanova tenure, shares the Knicks' nickname, the 'Nova Knicks,' due to possessing Donte DiVincenzo. Wright has never led an NBA team, though.
Among free-agent former NBA coaches, Mike Budenholzer, Taylor Jenkins, Frank Vogel, and Mike Brown are in contention.
The Phoenix Suns are in the final stages of their coaching search, considering Cleveland Cavaliers assistants Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott.
Enrichment Data:When assessing potential candidates for Thibodeau's vacated role, several notable names surface:
- Michael Malone: A force to consider, Malone led the Denver Nuggets to the 2022-2023 championship. Despite certain similarities in coaching style with Thibodeau, Malone's winning mentality and successful track record are significant assets.
- Mike Budenholzer: Having coached the Milwaukee Bucks to a championship, Budenholzer is another strong candidate. His recent tenure with the Phoenix Suns saw lesser success, yet his wealth of experience remains compelling.
- Jeff Van Gundy: Commonly linked to coaching searches, Van Gundy's defensive-minded approach could be an attractive proposition for the Knicks.
- Jason Kidd: Although currentlyeous the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, Kidd's name persistently surfaces among potential candidates. However, there is little chance that Dallas would let go of Kidd without adequate compensation.
- Ime Udoka: While currently working for the Houston Rockets, Udoka is on the Knicks' radar. Hiring Udoka would necessitate the Knicks receiving permission and sufficient compensation from the Rockets.
- Frank Vogel: A former champion coach, Vogel remains an option, although recent performances have been inconsistent.
- Jay Wright and Dan Hurley: Both college coaches are possibilities, but they lack any prior NBA head coaching experience. These professors serve as wild cards in the coaching search.
- The New York Knicks, after their recent exit from the Eastern Conference Finals, are seeking a new coach, with potential candidates including Michael Malone and Jay Wright.
- Michael Malone, a championship-winning coach from the Denver Nuggets, could be a strong contender, but his reluctance to trust young players might raise concerns for the Knicks' brass.
- Jay Wright, who shares the Knicks' nickname, 'Nova Knicks,' due to Donte DiVincenzo, has never led an NBA team but has guided Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart under his Villanova tenure.
- Among free-agent former NBA coaches, Mike Budenholzer, Taylor Jenkins, Frank Vogel, and Mike Brown are also in contention for the vacant role in the Knicks' organization. Additionally, the Phoenix Suns are considering Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott for their coaching vacancy.
