The New York Knicks are parting methods with head coach Tom Thibodeau, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
“Our group is singularly targeted on profitable a championship for our followers. This pursuit led us to the troublesome resolution to tell Tom Thibodeau that we’ve determined to maneuver in one other path,” president of basketball operations Leon Rose mentioned in an announcement. “We will’t thank Tom sufficient for pouring his coronary heart and soul into every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not solely with class and professionalism for the previous 5 seasons, but in addition to super success on the court docket with 4 playoff berths and 4 playoff collection victories.
“Finally, we made the choice we really feel is greatest for our group shifting ahead. Tom will at all times be part of our Knicks household and we actually want him nothing however one of the best sooner or later.”
The timing of the transfer is shocking, on condition that New York simply had its greatest season in a quarter-century, coming inside two wins of showing within the NBA Finals for the primary time since 1999. Whereas there have been rumblings earlier within the yr that Thibodeau can be on the new seat if the Knicks made an early playoff exit, that chatter had quieted down following playoff collection wins over the Pistons and Celtics.
Steve Popper of Newsday says he heard from a supply that Thibodeau believed he’d must win that second-round collection in opposition to Boston to maintain his job. Nevertheless, even that upset win proved to not be sufficient. The group, which is “singularly targeted” on profitable a championship, believes a brand new voice on the sidelines may help the crew take its subsequent step towards a title, Charania explains.
According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Submit, the choice to fireplace Thibodeau was made by Rose, with the help of possession.
Thibodeau, who coached the Bulls from 2010-15 and the Timberwolves from 2017-19, was employed by the Knicks forward of the 2020-21 season. He posted a 226-174 (.565) common season file throughout his 5 years with the franchise, main the Knicks to 4 playoff appearances and 4 collection wins, with an total postseason file of 24-23 (.511). He was named the NBA’s Coach of the 12 months in 2021.
Thibodeau has acquired criticism through the years for his tendency to rely closely on his starters and underutilize his bench. Nevertheless, his gamers have usually been vocal of their help for him. Following the crew’s elimination from the postseason over the weekend, Jalen Brunson bristled at hypothesis about his head coach’s future, responding, “Is that an actual query proper now? You simply requested me if I consider he’s the precise man. Sure. Come on.”
The Knicks will nonetheless owe Thibodeau at the least $30M in assured cash, sources tell Ian Begley of SNY. He had signed a three-year extension last summer, which was set to take impact in 2025-26.
New York might be simply the second NBA crew to launch a head teaching search this spring, becoming a member of the Suns. Phoenix has reportedly narrowed its search to a pair of Cavaliers assistants, Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott.
