NEW YORK (AP) – Tom Thibodeau guided the New York Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals, marking the franchise’s deepest playoff run in 25 years. His arrival as coach sparked renewed hope for the team.
Yet, in a surprising turn of events, he was let go.
The Knicks announced “difficult decisions” on Tuesday, leading to Thibodeau’s dismissal.
“I cannot thank Tom enough for dedicating himself wholeheartedly as the head coach of the New York Knicks. His tenure brought significant achievements, with four playoff appearances and series victories, along with a commitment to professionalism and class over the past five seasons,” the team stated.
“Ultimately, we believed these decisions were in the best interest of the organization moving forward. Tom will always remain a part of the Knicks family, and we wish him the best in the future.”
The Knicks faced elimination at the hands of the Indiana Pacers in Game 6. Following the loss, Thibodeau was asked about the team’s path to progress this summer.
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“You take a moment to step back, similar to what you do every season. It’s a period of reflection,” Thibodeau remarked. “You engage in detailed analyses with your team to identify areas for improvement.”
The Knicks concluded that he was not their coach moving forward.
This decision was made by Rose, with the owner’s blessing, as per sources who spoke with the Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to a lack of details in the announcement. ESPN was the first to report the firing.
This decision raises eyebrows given the Knicks’ tumultuous history, particularly throughout the 2000s. Thibodeau was appointed in 2020 and quickly brought the team back to playoff contention, earning his second NBA Coach of the Year award. In recent years, they have emerged as strong challengers in the East. They extended his contract by three years last summer.
The significant breakthrough occurred during the 2024-25 season when they faced defending champion Boston in the second round after Thibodeau was an assistant to Jeff Van Gundy, marking their first trip to the conference finals since 2000.
Following their elimination, captain Jalen Branson voiced his support for Thibodeau, pushing back against suggestions about his coach’s suitability for the team.
“Is that the real question right now?” Branson replied. “Did you ask me if I believe he is the right guy? Yes. Come on.”
Just three days later, Thibodeau was dismissed, despite achieving a 226-174 record with the Knicks, making him one of the franchise’s more successful coaches.
Critics pointed to his intense coaching style and heavy reliance on starters as factors that could wear down his players, though results in New York often contradicted such criticisms.
Thibodeau’s gritty coaching style resonated with fans longing for the defensive prowess reminiscent of the 1990s.
“I’m a fan of Tom Thibodeau. He revitalized this team,” Actor Ben Stiller tweeted from his courtside seat during the postseason, praising his dedication and growth of the franchise back into championship contention.
Despite not winning a playoff series since 2013, the Knicks have now achieved this feat for three consecutive seasons. They finished with a 50-32 record in 2023-24 and followed that with a 51-31 season, enhancing their roster with trades involving All-Stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges.
However, sources indicated the organization felt a shift was needed as they sought to end their lengthy championship drought, which last saw titles in 1973.
Thibodeau, who grew up a fan of the Knicks, began his coaching career as an assistant with the team in 1996.
He earned his chance to lead the Bulls in 2010-11 after assisting the Boston Celtics during their 2008 NBA Championship run. He quickly became known for his defensive acumen, leading the Bulls to a 62-20 record in his inaugural season and winning his first Coach of the Year award.
Having coached the Bulls and Minnesota, Thibodeau holds a career record of 578-420 as a head coach.
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Source: apnews.com