If the New York Knicks choose to part ways with interim head coach Mike Miller, Leon Rose could make Tom Thibodeau the replacement. Should he?
Interim head coach Mike Miller overachieved with the New York Knicks in 2019-20. He took a team that started the season at 4-20 and led it to a 17-25 record over the course of the final 42 games of the season—a monumental turnaround.
With the hiring of a new team president, however, the head coaching job is under review once more—and Miller has some competition for a long-term contract.
It’s important to note that Miller hasn’t yet been relieved of his duties as interim head coach. It’s entirely possible that team president Leon Rose will choose to keep him on board, citing his success with a young and promising roster.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, however, the expectation amongst those with a vested interest in Rose’s decision is that he would hire Tom Thibodeau if Miller is indeed replaced.
"For what it’s worth, several coaches and people with a vetted interest in Leon Rose’s first coaching hire believe it will ultimately be Thibodeau — if he doesn’t retain Mike Miller."
Thibodeau was linked to the Knicks job for the better part of the 2010s, but it feels more viable now than ever before.
Thibodeau has become a polarizing figure in NBA circles, due in large part to his approach to minutes distribution. He’s also become one of the most successful coaches of the past decade, experiencing highs that few can compare to.
The question is: How would Tom Thibodeau fit as the new head coach of the New York Knicks?
The pros and the cons of a potential hire may answer that question.