4 reasons why Tom Thibodeau should be on a short leash with Knicks
By James Nolan
4. Thibodeau’s teams struggle in the playoffs
In the postseason, every team’s flaws are exposed. Thibodeau’s many flaws all add up to one in the playoffs and ultimately factor into the teams that he’s coached always struggling to find success in the playoffs.
Firstly, the key guys on his roster are usually burnt out, which is why his teams have seen early exits frequently. Four times in his coaching career in the postseason his teams have been eliminated in the first round.
The only times he has won a postseason series was with the Chicago Bulls and the MVP version of Derrick Rose. This makes me wonder, even if the team currently constructed is a playoff team, is Thibodeau the guy to get them over the hump?
The Hawks scored 120.2 points-per-100-possessions today against the Knicks. That's the 9th-worst defensive outing by a team coached by Tom Thibodeau in the 60 playoff games he has coached.
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) May 30, 2021
Overall, what really matters is what you do in the postseason. Thibodeau can certainly change the narrative. If he is able to overcome what has haunted him throughout his coaching career in the past, then maybe he can be the coach that the Knicks truly need.
If Thibodeau can’t overcome these struggles, though, and the Knicks aren’t living up to expectations early on into the season, then maybe Leon Rose and the front office should start searching for a new head coach.
