Evaluating Head Coaching Options For The New York Knicks

Tom Thibodeau

Had to save the front-runner for last. According to Jonathan Macri of Sports Illustrated, Thibs has the inside track on the position.

"“On the coaching front, some around the Knicks also feel as if Tom Thibodeau is becoming a stronger and stronger possibility for the head coaching position currently occupied by interim coach Mike Miller. One person with knowledge of their thinking put the odds at 90 percent that Thibs will get the job, with Miller staying on in some capacity.”"

Just like Jackson and Hammon, Thibodeau has his ties to New York. From 1996-2003, he served as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks. Unlike Jackson and Hammon, however, Thibs has close ties to new team president Leon Rose.

Thibs is a current client of Creative Arts Agency (CAA) and was formerly represented by Rose. With such clear ties between the New York Knicks and Tom Thibodeau the question remains, how would he do as the team’s head coach?

Record wise, Thibs looks like a great option. Through 8 seasons as a head coach with the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thibs has only recorded two losing seasons and that’s including 2018 when he was fired from the Timberwolves with a 19-21 record.

All-time he is 352-246 but the problem with Thibs is not his record but his methods as noted by Michael Rand of the StarTribune.

"The criticism of Thibodeau in Chicago stemmed less from his results and more from his methods. Bulls players logged heavy minutes, and Thibodeau eventually wore out his welcome. He was fired after five seasons, with two years and $9 million remaining on his contract."

It’s impossible to tell where Thibs stands now with his time management issues, as he hasn’t coached since last season.  The man is a defensive genius and has proven he can coach successful basketball, but if he can’t keep a good relationship with his players the New York Knicks need to rethink their front-runner.