NBA insider shares new details on surprising Tom Thibodeau's exit from New York Knicks

Time of India

6 hours ago

Tom Thibodeau. Image via: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Despite a historic playoff run that took the New York Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years, head coach Tom Thibodeau is officially out. The team's decision to part ways with Thibodeau shocked many across the NBA, especially considering his role in reshaping the franchise into a postseason regular.
But according to multiple reports, internal concerns regarding his coaching style, player usage, and the team's future potential ultimately pushed the Knicks' front office to make a change. Days after his exit, NBA insider Vincent Goodwill has recently shared some explosive details on why the Knicks fired him.
New details emerge days after Tom Thibodeau's surprising exit from the New York Knicks
As reported by ESPN's Shams Charania on The Pat McAfee Show, Knicks owner James Dolan and team president Leon Rose initiated internal meetings immediately after the team's playoff exit.
The conclusion? A fresh voice was needed to elevate the franchise to championship level.
'As soon as the season ended, they started meetings internally, and James Dolan, the Knicks Owner, and Leon Rose, the President, they believed the best path for this team to take the next step to win a championship was they needed a new voice,' Charania said. 'So Leon Rose and James Dolan came to the decision this morning that they were going to part ways with Tom Thibodeau.
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He's fired as their head coach.'
Despite the success, some cracks were beginning to show.
According to Vince Goodwill
of Yahoo Sports, at least
one anonymous Knicks player expressed a strong unwillingness to return under Thibodeau's leadership
.
'A couple of players felt like Thibodeau played the starters too many minutes and felt he had an inability to adjust, sources said, and another player said he didn't feel like he could play for Thibodeau if the coach returned next season.'
SNY's Ian Begley also gave his remarks on the matter.
"Entire Knick[s] roster had strong respect/admiration for Tom Thibodeau. Players interviewed this week in assessment spoke respectfully of Thibodeau while also pointing out areas that needed to change/improve. That feedback factored into Thibs ouster," Begley
shared on X
.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, doubts weren't about his work ethic or command but rather his ability to lead the team to the next level.
'The players hadn't tuned out Thibodeau, one source told ESPN, but there was doubt that he could lead them to the Finals after the way the Knicks lost to the Pacers.'
Even Begley, who has followed the Knicks closely, expressed surprise over the timing of the decision.
'This was year over year progress ... this is what you look for when you build a team that can contend,' Begley said. 'But it tells you a lot about where they think there are.
And the sense of urgency, the sense of immediacy they have in wanting to get to the Finals and get to an NBA championship.'
Also Read:
Who's responsible for Tom Thibodeau's exit from New York Knicks? NBA insider spills beans on front office decision
Now, the Knicks' coaching search is underway. According to Begley, New York has shown interest in several current head coaches, including Jason Kidd of the Mavericks, Ime Udoka of the Rockets, and Chris Finch of the Timberwolves.