After a less-than-ideal Eastern Conference Finals performance, Tom Thibodeau has been fired by the New York Knicks. The Knicks were beaten in 6 games by the Indiana Pacers in a playoff series that never seemed to go their way. The Knicks struggled to stop the playmaking star that is Tyrese Haliburton, and as a result, they were never able to get into their stride and deliver the same performances that got them to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. With Thibodeau’s departure, the Knicks and their adoring fans are left to wonder who might be the next head coach.
It was a year to remember for the fans of the New York Knicks.
Madison Square Garden has a special atmosphere, when the Knicks are playing well that is. This season saw the Knicks reach the postseason and give their fans a feeling that they are not accustomed to, hope. The last time the Knicks got this far in the postseason was back in 2000 when Rick Brunson was leading the team, as his son, Jalen Brunson, has done so this season.
The Knicks ended the regular season in third position in the East with a 51-31 record. Despite their impressive performances in the regular season and their first playoff run in over 20 years, the Knicks made the controversial decision to fire Thibodeau. “Thibs”, as he’s affectionately known by almost everyone in the NBA, was let go despite an impressive record in New York since taking over, winning 50-plus games in consecutive seasons for the first time since the ’90s.
Arguably, the most memorable moment this season for the Knicks was defeating the reigning champs, the Boston Celtics. The Knicks were able to beat the Celtics in six games, winning the semifinals to progress to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they would be beaten by the Pacers. But everyone in the NBA will remember that one game in Boston where the Knicks were able to pull off the impossible to beat the Celtics at home.
The NBA is split on the New York Knicks’ decision to fire Thibodeau.
The problem that most big teams in the NBA face is that the General Manager has control of who gets fired and hired, regardless of performance or records. Our minds are taken back to the controversial Luka Doncic trade that had the NBA puzzled as to what exactly Mavericks’ GM, Nico Harrison, was thinking. Knicks GM, Leon Rose, is now facing similar controversy over the Thibodeau firing.
Some big-name fans of the Knicks have voiced their opinion on Thibodeau’s firing, with longtime super fan, Ben Stiller stating,
“I am a Tom Thibodeau fan. I will always be grateful for how far he brought the Knicks. They are relevant again. They are championship contenders again.”
The NBA legends are also weighing in on the Thibodeau drama, like the Los Angeles Lakers legend, Earvin Magic Johnson. He posted to his social media pages,
WOW WOW WOW. I can’t believe the NY Knicks coach, Tom Thibodeau, was fired today after leading the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals! 🤯 The biggest question is, why was he fired? Now, who will be the next coach of the Knicks?
That is the relevant question at the moment: Who will be the next head coach for the New York Knicks? Many have pointed to Mike Malone being the most obvious choice, but his style and man management are similar to Thibodeau, so that is not likely. With the Finals grabbing the attention of the basketball world, how long will the Knicks have to find a replacement?
Will the new Knicks head coach make some roster changes next season?
Firings and trades are the name of the game in the modern-day NBA. Tom Thibodeau had an impressive five seasons with the New York Knicks, but alas, his time in New York has come to an end. Some big-name coaches are available for consideration, such as Frank Vogel or Mike Malone, who are both championship-winning coaches with the Denver Nuggets and the LA Lakers, respectively. Whoever does get the job can thank Tom Thibodeau for establishing the Knicks as a contender for a future championship.
