Knicks should beg Tom Thibodeau for second chance in failed coach search
That was before we knew the team didn't have much of a plan at all -- and before the Eastern Conference was completely altered by Tyrese Haliburton's torn Achilles in the NBA Finals, which followed Jayson Tatum's torn Achilles against the Knicks in the East finals. Before the team inched towards the most uninspired decision to replace Thibodeau with Mike Brown, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday.
Now, I'm thinking the Knicks might want to hit up old Tom to apologize for how things ended, beg him to take them back and pray he accepts.
Look, I'm obviously joking here (kinda). I still think Thibodeau was too rigid with his lineups and offensive schemes, and who knows what happened behind the scenes with players who might've needed a new voice. But my goodness, New York, at least have someone in mind who isn't already employed when you make the massive decision to fire your most winningest coach from the last 20 years.
Instead, what the Knicks did was target Jason Kidd -- apparently missing the memo that he already coaches the Dallas Mavericks -- and that failed attempt to lure him away led to a bizarre path of going after four more coaches from other teams. They even interviewed Dawn Staley, despite her having no apparent interest in leaving South Carolina. Now, they're about to land on Brown, who was clearly not their first option, and suddenly giving Thibs a call doesn't sound like such a bad idea after all.
To be clear, I have no problem with Brown. In fact, I like him. I think he's a fine coach who got a raw deal in Sacramento when the Kings fired him 31 games into his third year after leading them to back-to-back winning seasons and their first playoff appearance in 17 years. He's not necessarily a downgrade from Thibodeau. I'm just not sure he's much of an upgrade either -- if at all. Which makes this whole process incredibly flawed.
You don't fire the coach who just took you to the ECF to make a high-floor, low-ceiling hire. You only make that move if you plan to take a big swing on a young coach with loads of potential or someone who's already won. Sticking with the baseball analogy, the Knicks didn't strike out here, but hiring Brown is more like a bloop single.
After years of finally looking like a competent organization, everything about this search has been mind-boggling. The Knicks better hope Brown can reach his first ECF since his time with Lebron James in Cleveland, because anything short of that will make it hard to live down the decision to fire Thibodeau.
Damian Lillard landing spots
The Bucks' decision to waive and stretch Damian Lillard's contract in order to sign Myles Turner may very well turn out to be a mistake for Milwaukee, but there's no denying it'll help another team down the line at some point.
Lillard is now a free agent, and once he's done rehabbing his torn Achilles, he'll be able to join the team of his choice without having to worry about money due to the Bucks still paying him. But where will the nine-time All-Star go? FTW's Charles Curtis compiled a list of the top five landing spots, and while I hand't considered his top option, it makes so much sense: the Boston Celtics.
And the reason is very simple: "The timeline aligns perfectly: Jayson Tatum and Lillard can rehab their Achilles injuries and then contend again in 2026."
Check out the full list here.
Shootaround
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