Tom Thibodeau quickly learned the mystique of William Wesley.
William Wesley AKA “World Wide Wes” has become somewhat of a mythical figure to NBA fans. The recently-hired New York Knicks executive can probably safely walk the Manhattan streets without much notice or disturbance. He’s not a recognizable face outside of NBA circles.
However, within the game, he is known as one of the most influential and connected people in basketball and entertainment. That is part of the reason why his addition to the Knicks front office was met with praise around the league.
Recently-hired Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau got to see first hand how Wesley works his power-broker magic when the two first met at a football game.
"“The first time I met [Wesley], I was an assistant coach in Philadelphia, and I was at an Eagles game and I was sitting in a box with Mo Cheeks,” Thibodeau recalled to the New York Post. “And Wes was up there. And they were playing the Cowboys. So Wes says, ‘The first half I’m gonna go down on the Cowboys sideline, (laugh).’ He goes down on the Cowboys sideline and he’s standing next to Jerry Jones, and I’m like, ‘Who is this guy?’ And then he goes, ‘I’m gonna go down on the Eagles sideline the second half (laugh).’ I’m like, ‘No way.’ Ultimately we became really good friends.”"
Tom Thibodeau and William Wesley are connected again.
Thibodeau was represented by CAA when Wesley and Knicks president Leon Rose were making their names at the sports agency. While the New York Post recently reported Thibodeau and Wesley aren’t as close as they used to be, it would seem the relationship is strong enough for Rose/Wesley to hire their old client and friend to a five-year deal this past week. Wesley was reportedly a key decision-maker next to Rose in the coaching search process.
The Knicks have not made the playoffs since 2013, partly due to bad coaching, partly due to poor roster construction. The success of Rose in his new role will largely depend on old friends he has hired from his days at CAA.
Can Thibodeau finally give the Knicks some stability along the sidelines? Can Wesley become an X-Factor in recruiting top talent to come play in New York?
We will have to wait and see. Until then, the Knicks are sitting at home awaiting official word from the NBA on whether they can conduct team workouts in New York, perhaps within the next few weeks.