Hilarious old Tom Thibodeau ESPN clip resurfaces on Knicks Twitter

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 7: New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2022 in New York City. 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 Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 7: New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2022 in New York City. 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 Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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Tom Thibodeau’s tenure as the New York Knicks head coach has been full of ups and downs. In his first full season at the helm, he helped to guide the Knicks to the playoffs and was named the 2021 NBA Coach of the Year. Entering 2021-22, hopes were high, but Thibodeau and the Knicks came up short of reaching the play-in tournament.

In the first half of the 2022-23 season, fans have already called for Thibodeau to be fired, but his nine-man rotation change has benefitted New York. If he can guide the Knicks back to the playoffs, he’ll have fans back on his side for the time being.

If things go south in New York and the organization does decide to part ways with Thibodeau, there’s one thing that he shouldn’t go back to doing — television.

Never forget Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau’s appearance on ESPN NBA Countdown

Back in 2019 before Tom Thibodeau was hired as head coach of the Knicks, he made an appearance on ESPN NBA Countdown alongside Paul Pierce, Michelle Beadle, and Brian Windhorst.

When predicting which team would win in the games that evening (Washington vs. Milwaukee and Charlotte vs. Dallas), Thibodeau didn’t say a word. Instead, he sat there frozen looking ahead with a smile (more like a grimace) on his face. It seems as if Thibs caught a case of stage fright. Just like the above Twitter account wrote, New York needs to keep winning so that Thibodeau won’t make another cameo on ESPN. Or maybe, he should, if only for entertainment.

It’s rare to see Thibodeau flash a smile, especially when he’s on the sidelines, where he usually spends the majority of the time yelling and throwing his hands in the air.

Even without having a big-name star on the roster, New York has a chance to avenge last year’s No. 11 finish in the East by at least securing a play-in tournament spot in April. If the Knicks can make another wild push to the playoffs, Thibodeau’s job would likely be safe entering the offseason. And if that doesn’t end up being the case, keep him away from NBA Countdown.