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Why New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is on the hot seat

By Adam Kester

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 24: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks argues a call during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 95-93. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 24: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks argues a call during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 95-93. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
Tom Thibodeau New York Knicks. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Tom Thibodeau’s New York Knicks keep finding ways to lose games.

This team has already reached a point where they’ve both accepted the fact they won’t progress from last season, but that isn’t too big of an issue in this rebuild. The biggest issue is the team actually regressing to a point where they’ve lost any semblance of last season’s success.

They suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. A type of that for most teams happens once a year. For the New York Knicks, it’s a regular occurrence.

Right now, it’s hard to say they haven’t hit that point, and their head coach deserves a lot of the blame.

New York Knicks: Why Tom Thibodeau is on the hot seat

I want to make this clear from the jump — I am a fan of Tom Thibodeau. He’s a terrific basketball mind and someone who a lot of players want to play for. He’s made some great connections with some of the players. 

I’ve defended him plenty of times when people are clamoring for unproven young players to play 35 minutes. He tries to put out the best possible lineups to win. Now, I’m not so sure his methods are working.

A lot of the time, head coaches getting fired is just as much the circumstances surrounding the team as it is their individual blame. That’s exactly what’s happening with Tom Thibodeau right now.

Good coaches have gotten fired plenty of times. When there are unnecessary problems, zero consistency from night-to-night, and potentially some fundamental differences in basketball philosophy between the front office and Thibs.

Tom Thibodeau is hard-headed, this is well documented. It’s led to a lot of his success in the NBA but it’s been a part of his shortcomings.

So how did these issues begin to simmer? Will Thibodeau be fired sooner rather than later?

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