The New York Knicks have fired coach Tom Thibodeau, three days after being ousted from the Eastern Conference finals by the Indiana Pacers. The move comes after the team advanced further than expected with a relatively new core of players, knocking out the defending champion Boston Celtics in the second round.
Thibodeau had led the Knicks to back-to-back 50-win seasons for the first time since 1995, surpassing Pat Riley’s record earlier this season. Despite his success, the team decided to move in another direction, citing their focus on winning a championship for fans. Team president Leon Rose stated that Thibodeau was “singularly focused” on winning and made the decision best for the organization.
Thibodeau had a long history with the Knicks, dating back to the 1990s as an assistant coach under Jeff Van Gundy. He went on to coach the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves before joining the Knicks. The team’s decision to fire Thibodeau is a surprise given his impressive record, which includes a .579 career win percentage as a head coach.
The Knicks’ front office made significant changes during the season, trading away players like Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo for Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite these moves, the team’s starting five remained one of the most talented in the league, with Thibodeau playing his starters big minutes to maximize their potential.
The firing of Thibodeau marks a new chapter for the Knicks, who will look to build on their playoff success without their former coach.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45443832/sources-knicks-firing-tom-thibodeau-coach-5-seasons