Knicks Rumors: Pros and Cons of hiring Tom Thibodeau in 2020

Pro: History With The Knicks

The New York Knicks have tried and failed to hire head coaches who fit the ideology that’s long resulted in team success: Defense first, ask questions second. The franchise has also attempted to hire coaches with a more modern approach, albeit with inconsistent results.

If the franchise were to hire Thibodeau, there’s one thing that could be guaranteed: The Knicks of 2020-21 and beyond would be playing like the Knicks of the 90s.

Thibodeau was an assistant coach for the Knicks from 1996 to 2004, primarily working alongside Jeff Van Gundy. He was present when New York made its improbable run to the 1999 NBA Finals and was also an assistant for the Boston Celtics when the team won the title in 2008.

That’s significant experience as an assistant, and an invaluable familiarity with what it was that made the Knicks a contender.

Clearly, the Knicks will need to adapt the strategy that worked in 1999 to the way the game is played in 2020. In saying that: New York played heavily through its wings, Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell, and encouraged Larry Johnson to be something of a stretch 4.

Perhaps it’s not as dated a strategy as it seems.

For what it’s worth: Marc Berman of The New York Post is reporting that Thibodeau wants the Knicks job—badly.

"“He really wants the Knick job,” a Thibodeau confidant said. “He can taste it and he may even be in the lead.”"

That doesn’t guarantee that he’d be a good fit for the Knicks, but with history and a desire to be here, there’s reason for optimism.