After leading the organization to its first Conference Finals appearance in two and a half decades, Tom Thibodeau has been relieved of his duties as head coach for the New York Knicks.
Despite falling short of an NBA Finals appearance, Knicks fans remain hopeful that this loss will be the gateway to many victories in the future and eventually an NBA championship.
Losing to none other than the Indiana Pacers in six games, the team decided to fire longtime head coach Tom Thibodeau, making him the fifth head coach to be fired this season.
Now, the Knicks find themselves in a unique position this offseason where they could either walk away as heroes, or the laughing-stock of the league yet again.
When In Doubt, Kick Them Out
Despite reviving a franchise left for dead, the Knicks under Thibs may have reached their ceiling
Led by Thibodeau, the team built its identity on the backs of their defense and physicality, introducing them as one of the best defensive teams in the league. Within his first season as head coach, he managed to establish a culture that bled through the veins of the franchise, leading the organization to its first playoff appearance in eight years.
Alongside rising star Julius Randle, Thibodeau was the catalyst for the team’s success, revitalizing what was once a basketball cadaver and filling the city with life.
Now, it seems as if they have completely abandoned their identity, sacrificing their defense and depth to acquire more offensive firepower at each position. While being good on paper, their inability to defend would ultimately be their downfall.
However, with plenty of offensive weapons at their disposal, the team still failed to diversify their offense, becoming redundant and stale on that end of the floor. This left management with no other choice than to part ways with their beloved head coach.
Even with all his success, his reluctance to adapt cost him his job, but it may end up being his saving grace.
Knicks’ Old Habits Showing Face Yet Again
History is always written by the victors, but how will this move be remembered?
The Knicks’ decision to focus on offense, stripped the team of its defensive identity and depth, putting Thibodeau in a very difficult position as head coach. Yet he managed to lead the team to its first Conference Finals appearance in 25 years and become the team’s most successful coach this century.
On the flipside, he seemed a bit late on each of his adjustments, allowing his team to fall behind 20 or more points in multiple games and blow a few leads themselves.
During this playoff run, Thibodeau displayed an overwhelming amount of creativity and steadiness, winning games that would have otherwise been impossible, but was it enough to outweigh his flaws?
Were these playoffs truly a reflection of Thibodeau at his best? If so, what’s next?
Given that the East is still up for grabs next season, the Knicks may have viewed this loss as an opportunity to go all in, and history is on their side.
| Team | Previous Head Coach | Head Coach | Prior Season Record | Season Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toronto Raptors | Dwane Casey | Nick Nurse | 59-23 | 58-24 |
| 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers | David Blatt | Tyronn Lue | 53-29 | 57-25 (27-14) |
| 2015 Golden State Warriors | Mark Jackson | Steve Kerr | 51-31 | 67-15 |
| 2004 Detroit Pistons | Rick Carlisle | Larry Brown | 50-32 | 54-28 |
There are numerous examples of teams firing their head coach and winning a championship the very next season, but there’s a flipside to every coin, and this move could very well mark the start of the Knicks’ descent to mediocrity.
No matter the ending, everyone can agree that competitive basketball is officially back in New York, and the fans are gearing for more.
A city once starved of playoff success tasted victory, at least momentarily.
DA Sports Addictz 
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