New details have emerged revealing why the New York Knicks parted ways with coach Tom Thibodeau after their most successful season in years.
The Knicks had concerns about Thibodeau’s lack of adjustments and an overreliance on guard Jalen Brunson, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Knicks brass were concerned that Thibodeau never effectively adjusted to opponents shutting down the pick-and-roll pairing of Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns late in the season by putting a wing on Brunson.
There were also worries about how Brunson was used so heavily, and whether that might eventually become an issue for a player with a history of injuries. That fed into long-standing concerns about Thibodeau’s heavy demands, which two players, including Mikal Bridges, went public with during the season.
The Knicks’ Game 1 collapse in the Eastern Conference Finals, and Thibodeau’s inability to stem the tide in those moments, underlined all those concerns, and Thibodeau’s future was in doubt even before the series ended.
Ultimately, Brunson did bail the Knicks out of many tough situations during the playoffs. That might not have been sustainable, nor was it something the team wanted to keep relying on. Accordingly, they are seeking a coach who can make more effective use of the talent on their roster. That could involve the pursuit of at least one pretty big name.
