Player feedback within the New York Knicks organization raised concerns that ultimately contributed to Tom Thibodeau`s firing. Owner James Dolan reportedly made the final decision to part ways with the coach who led the team to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years. According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, Dolan`s role in this coaching change was more substantial than that of most owners when making such an abrupt decision.
“The day that the Knicks got eliminated, James Edwards and I came out with that story that we had alignment that (Thibodeau) has support from Jalen Brunson and has the backing of Leon Rose, however, James Dolan is the final decision maker on these sorts of decisions,” Katz explained on a podcast episode. He clarified that their report didn`t state Thibodeau was safe, but rather that his safety depended on Rose and Brunson, not Dolan, who was letting the situation linger. Katz mentioned they had an “inkling” that Dolan might want Thibodeau out, though they couldn`t definitively report it at the time.
A report from Vinnie Goodwill of Yahoo Sports accurately detailed events during the end-of-season meetings. James Dolan sat in on exit interviews. Katz noted that an owner`s presence in exit interviews is highly unusual and “not a normal, regular thing,” something that hadn`t occurred with the Knicks until this instance, causing eyebrows to be raised around the league.
Previously, ESPN reported that New York`s front office was concerned about Jalen Brunson`s usage and Thibodeau`s failure to make schematic adjustments late in games. Thibodeau`s reluctance to utilize his bench throughout the season, resulting in several starters ranking among the league leaders in minutes played, was also cited as a negative factor.
According to Katz, player discussions during these meetings highlighted the team`s overall failure to maximize its talented roster, leading to Thibodeau`s departure, with Dolan acting as the decisive force. Katz reported that certain players were “somewhat critical” of Thibodeau during these sessions. He speculated that since James Dolan was leading these meetings, there might have been some “leading questions” posed.
Thibodeau`s only public statement since being let go was a thank you message to Knicks fans published in a newspaper advertisement.
“To the best city in the world with the best fans in the world: Thank you,” Thibodeau wrote in part. “When I was hired in 2020, I said this was my dream job. I am grateful that dream became a reality. Thank you to our players and coaching staff who gave everything they had, and to everyone who makes this franchise special. I am proud of everything we accomplished together, including four playoff appearances and this year`s run to the Eastern Conference finals — our first in 25 years.”
Katz indicated that many individuals within the Knicks` front office were “caught by surprise” by Dolan`s decision. He mentioned that some of Thibodeau`s assistant coaches felt “paranoid” about their job security towards the end of the season and after the team`s loss in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Indiana Pacers.
The Knicks are reportedly interviewing candidates to fill the coaching vacancy, with Pelicans assistant James Borrego being among those considered.
Jasper Hawthorne