Following a devastating loss in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks are still trying to figure out what exactly went wrong that led to their playoff collapse. Their first response was to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau, but one NBA executive says the real reason for his departure was actually due to Karl-Anthony Towns.
“Who was on the Timberwolves when Thibs got fired in 2019? Who is KAT’s former agent (Leon Rose, who is now the president of the Knicks)? I wouldn’t be surprised at all if KAT told Leon and (James) Dolan during his exit interview that he didn’t want to play for Thibs anymore,” said an anonymous NBA executive to Hoops Wire.
Before his trade to the Knicks, Towns played for Thibs with the Timberwolves, where they achieved mixed results. While they did achieve some success early on, it was short-lived after the situation turned toxic.
After being reunited in New York, Towns played for Thibs again and was reminded how high his standards are on the defensive end. Knowing that he’d never be able to earn favor in Thib’s rotation, some are convinced that Towns had the coach driven out so he could avoid accountability.
“Leon always listens to his players. That’s why he was beloved as an agent by all of his clients. Look, I don’t know this for sure, but if I were a betting man, I would bet a lot of money that KAT told Leon and Dolan that he didn’t want to play for Thibs anymore,” said the executive, via Hoops Wire. “They don’t have a good relationship. Thibs likes guys who defend at a high level and take accountability on that end. KAT has never done that. He doesn’t want to. He wants to save his energy for offense.”
Ever since his days with the Chicago Bulls, Thibs has been considered a defensive-minded coach who excelled at getting the most out of his team on that end of the floor. His coaching style is much more traditional, with a heavy focus on using patience and physicality to slow down the opponent.
As a shooting big man with handles, Towns has never been a defensive player, and he’s mostly been a liability on that end throughout his career. In the eyes of Thibs, this is a cardinal sin, and it’s why his role in the rotation was inconsistent compared to guys like OG Anunoby and Josh Hart.
With another three years and $171 million on his contract, the Knicks have no choice but to cater to Towns and try whatever they can to make it work. If getting rid of Thibs was enough to earn his loyalty, then it’s no surprise that the Knicks let him go despite his role in leading a massive turnaround for the franchise.
As the Knicks begin their search for Thibs’ replacement, they must think about the right coach for Towns and their other stars, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. New York must find a coach who can bring their strengths together and find a way to maximize what each player does best.
With the personnel they have, the Knicks are not primed to be great on defense, but they could be elite on the other end if they find the right coaching voice in the locker room. For better or worse, Towns will be a part of the process just as he was likely involved with Thibs’ firing.
