Three days after losing Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals to the Indiana Pacers, the New York Knicks have surprised fans and observers around the NBA by firing head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Thibodeau departs after five seasons in New York -- and just after guiding the Knicks to their deepest playoff run since 2000. Following the offseason acquisition of star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks won 51 games in the regular season. Led by Towns and All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, the Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons and the defending champion Boston Celtics before falling in six games to the Pacers, two wins shy of a first NBA Finals appearance in 26 years.
NBA insider Shams Charania has reported that Thibodeau's firing was prompted by the Knicks' desire for a new voice to lead the locker room. New York clearly is in a championship window, and the Knicks should be among the favorites to win the East next season -- but Knicks president Leon Rose and team owner James Dolan will be under significant pressure to find a slam-dunk replacement as the franchise's 32nd head coach.
Thibodeau's surprise dismissal prompted a wave of reactions from fans on social media, as although the Knicks' season ended in disappointment, it portended a bright future ahead for a franchise that has not won a championship since 1973.
"Got the furthest they ever have and they fired the coach lmao," wrote @APH00PS on X.
In addition to acquiring Towns last summer, the Knicks traded five first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Mikal Bridges, who maintained his reputation as a durable player and stingy defender. But Bridges struggled with his jump shot in the playoffs, and the Knicks posted a highly-efficient 126.6 offensive rating when he was off the court.
"We have been getting farther every year, and have a system in place," wrote @lanto_trades. "If we were losing consistently with this roster, ok, but what???"
Brunson, the Knicks' heart-and-soul floor general, averaged 29.4 points per game in the postseason and produced 10 30-plus point games. However, he was criticized for his defense as he assumed a huge share of the offensive load, with some speculation that the minutes distribution adversely affected him as the playoffs moved along.
"The no. 1 priority for (a) new coach is to get more out of Bridges and take (the) burden off of Brunson," wrote Michael McGarry on X, pointing to a possible reason as to why Thibodeau was fired.
Given Brunson is the Knicks' captain and franchise player, @kyriegotgame assumes that his father, assistant coach Rick Brunson, could be elevated to the top job. But no matter whom New York hires, the Knicks clearly feel that Thibodeau had taken the roster as far as he could.
"I don’t like this," wrote @Never2OldMan. "I think Thibs deserved 1 more year."
Still, Thibodeau leaves New York with his strong reputation intact. The two-time Coach of the Year has a 578-420 record as a head coach, and he can afford to be selective about his next gig.
"Thank you for everything Thibs!" wrote @Brendan_1999_. "You are a great coach and didn't deserve to be fired! You will always be remembered fondly!"
"Thibs put his heart into this team and turned us around, Knicks fan(s) need to be grateful for him," wrote @Courtsidecom.