Thibs Out! Did the Knicks Just Make a HUGE Mistake?

Knicks Part Ways with Tom Thibodeau After Eastern Conference Finals Exit

In a move that has sent ripples through the NBA, the New York Knicks have announced the firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau. The decision, revealed on Tuesday, comes just days after the Knicks' Eastern Conference Finals defeat at the hands of the Indiana Pacers in six games.

The Knicks entered the season with heightened expectations, fueled by offseason acquisitions aimed at securing their first championship since 1973. The team had invested heavily, utilizing six first-round picks, a first-round swap, Julius Randle, and Donte DiVincenzo in hopes of acquiring Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite their deepest postseason run since 2000, the ultimate goal of reaching the NBA Finals remained elusive, even with home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference Finals.

During his five-season tenure as Knicks head coach, Thibodeau maintained a regular-season winning percentage of 56.5%, accumulating an overall record of 226-174.

"Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we've decided to move in another direction," Knicks president Leon Rose stated in a press release. "We can't thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories. Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward. Tom will always be a part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future."

Thibodeau's arrival in 2020 marked a turning point for a Knicks team that had been absent from the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons. He quickly transformed the team, earning Coach of the Year honors in the 2020-21 season with a 41-31 record. While the Knicks missed the playoffs in 2022, they rebounded with consecutive second-round appearances, largely thanks to the addition of free agent Jalen Brunson. With Brunson as a cornerstone, the Knicks felt poised to contend for a championship.

However, the anticipated arrival of Bridges, expected to be a complementary 3-and-D star alongside OG Anunoby, didn't pan out as hoped. Bridges experienced his least effective 3-point shooting season since his rookie year and saw a decline in his defensive performance. Towns, despite his offensive prowess, struggled defensively.

Furthermore, concerns arose regarding Thibodeau's heavy reliance on his starters. Bridges himself acknowledged in March the physical toll of playing extensive minutes. This approach contributed to the Knicks' struggle to develop a dependable bench.

Here's a breakdown of Tom Thibodeau's coaching record with the Knicks:

• 2020-21: 41-31, Lost first round vs. Hawks
• 2021-22: 37-45, Missed playoffs
• 2022-23: 47-35, Lost second round vs. Heat
• 2023-24: 50-32, Lost second round vs. Pacers
• 2024-25: 51-31, Lost East finals vs. Pacers

Despite entering the 2025 postseason as a No. 3 seed – their highest in over a decade – and overcoming challenges against the Detroit Pistons and the defending champion Boston Celtics, the Knicks' Finals aspirations were ultimately thwarted by the Pacers.

Criticism has been directed at Thibodeau for his reluctance to make adjustments during the series, particularly his initial reluctance to deviate from the team's most-used lineup. This decision proved costly, as the starters were significantly outscored in the first two games against Indiana.

Thibodeau, who signed a contract extension last summer that extended through the 2027-28 season, departs as the fourth-winningest coach in Knicks history. The Knicks now enter the coaching market with an attractive roster and a respected front office.

The vacancy is expected to draw significant interest, with numerous qualified candidates potentially available. However, the next coach will face immense pressure to deliver a championship, given the Knicks' current "championship-or-bust" mentality.

Tags: New York Knicks, Tom Thibodeau, NBA, Knicks coach, Eastern Conference, NBA Finals, Basketball, Leon Rose, Coaching change, Firing

The Knicks' decision to move on from Tom Thibodeau marks the end of an era. While he brought stability and playoff success back to New York, the ultimate goal of a championship remained just out of reach. The search for a new coach begins, with the weight of expectation bearing down on the organization as they strive to finally bring a title back to the Garden.

Source: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/knicks-fire-tom-thibodeau-new-york-moves-on-from-coach-after-eastern-conference-finals-exit-per-reports/