For the Knicks, players and coaches come and go faster than the changing of the seasons. Over the past 10 years, the franchise has seen 7 different head coaches, starting with Mike Woodson in 2012, who was replaced just two years later by Derek Fisher.
For New York’s current coach, Tom Thibodeau, it’s starting to look like he, too, might be replaced. After showing promise just a season ago, the Knicks have reverted back to their dysfunctional ways, and there are rumblings that some within the team are ready to move on.
But in a recent article by Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, it’s revealed that the Knicks might actually hold onto Thibs for the foreseeable future. Here’s why:
Few executives are afforded the opportunity to fire more than one head coach before ownership eventually shifts their attention onto the team’s front office leader himself. And if Rose were to ever relieve Thibodeau of his responsibilities, that would almost certainly require New York’s tight-lipped president to address the personnel change publicly—which has occurred only twice since Rose was hired two years ago.
“It’s not like they inherited him. This was Leon’s guy,” said one NBA coaching figure. “Leon would have to answer to that.”
New York brass also strongly values Thibodeau’s ability and willingness to pose as the team’s official spokesperson.
“Thibs will stand there pregame and postgame, every day, and take the bullets for you,” the coaching figure said.
Thibodeau signed a five-year deal in July of 2020 that is said to be worth about $25 million. He was the first hire for Leon Rose’s regime and is not even a full season removed from his Coach of the Year win.
At 28-40, it’s already too late for the Knickerbocker to make something of this season. No doubt the focus is on the future, and Thibs is likely to be a part of that future.
