About this Episode
In this episode of Podcasty NBA, Niko and Stella analyze the New York Knicks' decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after leading them to their first Eastern Conference finals since 2000. They discuss key reasons behind his dismissal despite playoff success, potential coaching candidates like Michael Malone and Jay Wright, roster challenges including defensive issues exposed in recent playoffs, and what lies ahead for both Thibodeau's legacy and the Knicks franchise as they aim for an elusive championship.
Article Discussed: "Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau: What's next for New York's open job?"
Author: NBA Insiders
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Episode Transcript
Niko: Welcome to Podcasty NBA! Today, we're diving into a major shakeup in the basketball world—the New York Knicks firing their head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons. It's a surprising move considering Thibodeau led the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference finals since 2000.
Stella: Absolutely, Niko. The Knicks had some of their best playoff runs under Thibodeau, including beating the Detroit Pistons and dethroning the defending champion Boston Celtics before falling to the Indiana Pacers in six games. But despite this success, the team decided it was time for a new voice to push them further.
Niko: Right, Stella. The Knicks' official statement said the organization is 'singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,' which seems to be the core reason behind this decision. Even though Thibodeau brought 24 playoff wins—17 more than the previous 13 coaches combined—they felt a change was needed.
Stella: It's interesting because last summer they made big moves signing Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, but somehow that starting lineup struggled. From January through the end of the regular season and into over 300 minutes in the playoffs, that group was actually outscored by opponents by 31 points.
Niko: Defense seemed especially problematic against Indiana in those conference finals. Brunson and Towns played critical roles at point guard and center but weren't ideally suited defensively for those positions. Plus, there were calls for more three-point shooting and faster offensive pace.
Stella: Exactly. And while firing a coach after success isn't unheard of—like when Steve Kerr replaced Mark Jackson or Nick Nurse took over from Dwane Casey—it’s always a gamble. Some changes lead to championships; others don't pan out as well.
Niko: So who could step into this high-profile coaching role? Michael Malone tops the list—he led Denver Nuggets to an NBA title recently but was surprisingly fired just before this season ended. His experience with offensive stars who have defensive challenges fits New York’s roster, but his demanding style might mirror Thibodeau's personality.
Stella: Other candidates include Mike Budenholzer and Frank Vogel, both recent title winners despite struggles with Phoenix Suns. Then there are intriguing possibilities like Jay Wright or Dan Hurley from college basketball—both NCAA champions with ties to current Knicks players—which could bring fresh energy to the team.
Niko: "Fresh energy" might be exactly what they need because next season’s coach will have their work cut out for them on defense. The Pacers exposed how tough it was for Towns and Brunson to manage defensive rotations against fast-paced offenses, especially since Towns isn’t known for quick footwork and often fouls at bad times.
Stella: "Right," Josh Hart mentioned how Indiana kept forcing them into constant rotations — "You can stop one action, but then it's the next action." Adding someone like Mitchell Robinson as a rim protector or finding another versatile wing defender could help cover those weaknesses on defense.
Niko: "But fixing defense seems harder than tweaking offense," right? Offensively they have talent with Bridges, Anunoby, Brunson, Hart, and Towns all capable scorers. Yet bench depth is another issue—the Knicks' reserves played fewer minutes and scored less than any other team this season.
Stella: "And that's a big problem," especially since their trades last summer left them top-heavy on salary with limited draft assets available—only one tradeable first-round pick in seven years—and tight cap space. Convincing veterans to take less money just for a shot at competing will be challenging.
Niko: "So firing Thibodeau doesn't magically fix these roster problems," but it does signal that management wants a new direction on both coaching style and perhaps future roster construction as well.
Stella: "Looking back at Thibodeau's legacy," he brought real identity and work ethic back to New York reminiscent of their glory days in the 90s when he was an assistant under Jeff Van Gundy. Before him, they'd only won one playoff series this century; now they had three consecutive postseason series wins plus an Eastern Conference finals appearance.
Niko: "And even though he's now NBA's oldest coach finishing this past season," he adapted somewhat toward modern playstyles despite his reputation for heavy starter minutes. Given his long track record of turning teams around, it's hard to believe he'll step away from coaching anytime soon after such a strong run with New York.
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