The NBA postseason is a chance for players to show what they are capable of on the league’s biggest stage.
But it is also a time when coaches prove what they can achieve, and if things don’t go well, they risk losing their jobs.
Speaking on his show, via The Ringer, Bill Simmons said he feels New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau could be “on the hot seat” if his team doesn’t do well in the playoffs.
Simmons said that Thibodeau doesn’t turn to his bench enough and plays his regular stars too often, running them into the ground and exhausting them.
He added that he likes Thibodeau, but the playoffs will determine if his intense style of coaching is appropriate for the entirety of the NBA season.
Could an early playoff exit for the Knicks put Tom Thibodeau on the hot seat?@BillSimmons makes the case to @ZachLowe_NBA. pic.twitter.com/mjjrTVSdwX
— The Ringer (@ringer) April 1, 2025
Thibodeau is one of the most respected coaches in the league, but he is not without his faults.
Usually, analysts complain about how much he plays his starting five.
Last season, it felt like the Knicks limped into the playoffs and the injuries ramped up once the postseason began.
Some people claim that it wasn’t just because of bad luck, but due to the workload that Thibodeau put on his players’ shoulders.
The Knicks are currently the third seed in the East.
If the playoffs started today, they would face the Milwaukee Bucks.
If the Bucks moved past the Knicks, or if they didn’t get far in the postseason, there might be questions about Thibodeau and his choices.
It may be time for the front office to try something new, but they like the roster they have now, so does that mean Thibodeau would be asked to leave?
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