Knicks president Leon Rose and owner James Dolan met with several players and members of the coaching staff before making the decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau, sources tell Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. They were asked to provide input on the current state of the franchise following the loss to Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals and offer advice on what moves should be made next.
Shelburne hears that Thibodeau’s dismissal had been brewing for several months, sparked by a feeling that the team wasn’t reaching its full potential despite having Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns as All-NBA players. Shelburne’s sources said Rose became convinced that a new leader was needed after talking to the players and coaches, as he no longer had confidence that Thibodeau could guide the team to the NBA Finals.
“He got outcoached,” one league source told Shelburne. “The Game 1 collapse (in the Eastern Conference Finals) was insane. If they don’t have that collapse, who knows what happens.”
The Knicks led most of the way in the series opener and held a 14-point advantage with 2:50 remaining before Indiana staged a dramatic comeback behind a barrage of three-pointers. The Pacers also won Game 2 in New York, and the Knicks were never able to gain control of the series.
Shelburne points out that Thibodeau was second-guessed on several decisions he made against Indiana. Towns remained on the sidelines late in Game 2 as the team’s offense bogged down, and the decision to insert Mitchell Robinson into the starting lineup didn’t come until Game 3 when the Knicks were already in a desperate situation.
There’s more from New York:
- Thibodeau’s insistence on giving a heavy workload to his starters was another factor in Rose’s decision, Shelburne adds. She notes that Brunson posted the highest usage rate of his career, with one source pointing out that he missed games this season due to ankle and calf injuries and raising concerns that he might eventually break down like Derrick Rose did while playing for Thibodeau in Chicago.
- The Knicks will prioritize experience in hiring their next coach and won’t panic if a replacement isn’t found by the start of Summer League on July 10, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Bondy examines the credentials of several candidates, stating that recently fired Kings coach Mike Brown and former Lakers and Kings coach Luke Walton were among the names he has heard recently. Bondy also mentions current Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, who has been cited before as a potential target, but cautions that it’s not clear if Dallas would consider letting him go.
- Kidd shouldn’t be dismissed as a candidate just because he’s under contract, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on the latest Hoop Collective podcast (hat tip to Jared Schwartz of The New York Post). Kidd, who signed an extension with the Mavs last year, played for the Knicks during his final NBA season and has experience coaching Brunson. “I think it would be way too far to hint, suggest or any of that that J-Kidd is looking to get out of Dallas,” MacMahon said. “I think that would be not an accurate or fair thing to say. But if this opportunity were to present itself, I bet you his ears would perk up.”
Does Shelburne know that usage rate has nothing to do with minutes played?
Yes it does, it’s literally factored into the equation. Usage Rate = [ (FGA + 0.44 * FTA + TOV + 0.33 * AST) * (Team Minutes Played / 5) ] / [ (Team FGA + 0.44 * Team FTA + Team TOV + 0.33 * Team AST) * (Player Minutes Played) ] * 100
It’s the player’s usage while he is on the floor. Playing more does not increase a player’s usage rate.
There isn’t a direct correlation between minutes played and usage rate. You said it has nothing to do with minutes played, which is incorrect. It’s literally part of the calculation. You could play less minutes and have a higher usage rate and vice versa, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t factor in. So I high usage player who plays more minutes is likely to have continued high usage I think that was the point
Dumbest report I’ve seen, and not for lack of competition. It doesn’t even claim a NYK source (WTH is a league source?). Game 1 was insane, and I pretty much gave up on the series right there. Problem is that the Game 1 disaster had absolutely nothing to do with coaching. Unless Thibs told KAT and OG to each miss a FT and then make up for it by committing an unforced turnover. Keeping KAT on the bench to close Game 2 was a coaching decision, and in light of Game 1, pretty clearly the right one.
This was the Knicks only real shot to make the Finals. He deserved to be fired.
Um….there will be a basketball season starting again in a few months. The Celtics will be without Tatum. Who knows what the Cavs will do. The Knicks would start next year as one of the 2-3 top favorites to win the east.
Mike Brown would be a very good fit because he knows what it takes to win NBA Championships. That’s the main thing this franchise lacks. Mike was a huge part of Warriors’ success. He’ll be respected by Knicks’ star players.
This team isn’t far away. Brown would build on what Thibs has built, improving the defense and diversifying the offense. Mike won’t change stuff just for the sake of it.
Kerr leaned on Brown heavily
Davey J could handle the role and more.
“He got outcoached,” one league source told Shelburne. “The Game 1 collapse (in the Eastern Conference Finals) was insane. If they don’t have that collapse, who knows what happens.”
Who told you all about gm1 …. Yeah !!
I think Rose saw a great opportunity playing Pacers. And Thibs didn’t show up. He didn’t even use his bench till it was too late. I’ve said all year. The bench is what it is. You still have to play them to help your starters. Thibs never did it during end of season. And waited till Pacer series to even try. This issue isn’t going away for a new coach…..
Imo I think Thibs is not a KAT guy. And that’s where Thibs and Rose clashed. I can honestly say. Knicks offense was mire fluid at beginning of season. Somewhere along the way. It became a Towns and Brunson offense. Fixing the bench is not going to be an easy thing. So I wonder what they will do ……
I know if they listened to me. And signed TJ. We could be in Finals this year ….
link to bleacherreport.com
Just waiting to hear from all those people who swore black and blue that Thibs’ over-reliance on starters wouldn’t be a problem.. despite it being a problem his entire coaching career.
So, do you think Landry Shamet should have played more in the playoffs?
Carlise is a better coach than Thibs. Top 5 in the league.