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Knicks Rumors: New York could have competition for Tom Thibodeau

By Jeffrey Bellone

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Chicago Bulls calls a play against the Brooklyn Nets at the United Center on February 13, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Nets 92-76. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Chicago Bulls calls a play against the Brooklyn Nets at the United Center on February 13, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Nets 92-76. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Tom Thibodeau is expected to be considered for head coach of the New York Knicks, but there might be a few other teams interested in his services as well.

The New York Knicks are expected to consider Tom Thibodeau as a head coaching candidate for next season, but they could have competition from the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, both Brooklyn and Houston have “strong interest” in the high-intensity coach. He notes New York is expected to have the first chance to interview their former assistant since they will be out of the playoff picture, and can start the process of wooing Thibodeau sooner than either Brooklyn or Houston. Of course, the specifics of how the remainder of the 2019-20 schedule, playoff format, and subsequent league calendar will look are still uncertain due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Thibodeau has built a reputation for working his players into the ground, laughing in the face of modern “load management” techniques by playing his stars significant minutes every night.

Taj Gibson, whose contract with the Knicks is non-guaranteed next season, has played under the former Chicago and Minnesota coach in both locations. Gibson believes Thibs is “misunderstood” and speaks highly of his desire to win.

The New York Post reported in February that Thibodeau would be on new president Leon Rose’s short list of coaching candidates for next season, which also includes former coach Jeff Van Gundy.

An easy connection can be made between Rose and Thibodeau, as the coach is a client of Rose’s former agency, CAA.

In a recent mailbag, SNY’s Ian Begley noted that several coaches and people with “a vetted interest in Rose’s first coaching hire” believe Thibodeau will be the Knicks’ next head coach, if Mike Miller is not retained.

Miller took over for David Fizdale when he was fired last December. After winning coach of the year honors for New York’s G-League team in Westchester, Miller continued to show promise as bench chief with the Knicks, creating some stability for a roster that was better than their 4-18 record under Fizdale. The Knicks were 17-27 under Miller before the season was suspended.

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Thibodeau coached as an assistant with the Knicks from 1996-2004. He became head coach of the Bulls in 2010, where he stayed until he was fired toward the end of the 2014-15 season. He was then hired by the Minnesota Timberwolves to act as both head coach and president of basketball operations. He was relieved of both duties in January 2019.

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