New York Knicks eye Jason Kidd for head coach role following Tom Thibodeau's surprise firing after playoff run
(Image Source - Getty Images)
As an unexpected change, New York Knicks authorities are said to be in talks with Jason Kidd, head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, over their coaching position. Just a few days ago, the Knicks decided to part with Tom Thibodeau, even though they brought the team to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years.
This move shows that the Knicks want to improve their prospects of winning a championship and add Kidd to their team with Jalen Brunson.
New York Knicks' bold coaching pursuit targets Jason Kidd
After the surprising firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau, the New York Knicks are said to be looking to get the green light from the Dallas Mavericks to chat with Jason Kidd about their head coaching position. NBA insider Marc Stein has confirmed that the Knicks intend to officially ask for an interview with Kidd, who has been leading the Mavericks since 2021.
Kidd enjoyed a special connection with the Knicks — he ended his long-standing professional career with New York during the 2012–13 season. In that year, the Knicks had a 54–28 record which was their first 50-win season since the 1999–2000 season. Besides, playing with the Mavericks helped Kidd guide Jalen Brunson, who plays a big role for the Knicks today. If Kidd and Brunson work together in New York, it adds an unexpected factor to the team's search for a coach.
The move to part ways with Tom Thibodeau has left fans and analysts questioning the decision. He led the team to a commendable 51–31 record and a significant playoff journey, yet he was let go after five seasons with the Knicks. This action highlights the organization's high standards and their commitment to pursuing an NBA title.
During Thibodeau's tenure, there were major improvements, especially two seasons with over 50 victories and a win over the Boston Celtics in the playoffs.
Still, different considerations within the organization and the feeling that things needed to change may have led to the choice for new leaders.
With a rich background, Jason Kidd is a valuable asset. He was a Hall of Fame point guard before stepping into coaching with the Brooklyn Nets in 2013. He also served as an assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. Under his watch, the Mavericks hit the NBA Finals in 2024, highlighting his knack for steering teams through the playoffs.
Also Read:
Stephen A. Smith claps back at Kevin Durant as NBA All-Star Game debate intensifies over lack of player effort
The New York Knicks find themselves at a turning point, with their hunt for a coach possibly leading them back to a familiar name: Jason Kidd. His experience, ability to lead, and relationship with key players such as Jalen Brunson make him an attractive option to help the Knicks reach new levels. As the franchise tackles this important decision, the result of their chase for Kidd could have a major effect on their future in the next few seasons.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Shaquille O'Neal revisits history asserting bold statement on modern NBA stars: 'Nobody ever really played me straight up'
Shaquille O'Neal, one of the most dominant forces in NBA history, recently reignited conversation around the changing nature of basketball across eras. Appearing on episodes of The Big Podcast and New Heights, O'Neal reflected on his toughest battles, shared vivid memories of his legendary dunks, and sparked debate by pointing out which current players could have survived and thrived in his bruising, physical era. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now His comments cut through nostalgia and bravado, offering a rare window into how he views greatness then and now. Shaquille O'Neal asserts that his era wasn't for the faint of heart Shaquille O'Neal. Image via: Getty Images Shaquille O'Neal admits not every game was a cakewalk. When Brandon Jennings asked about the toughest era he faced, Shaq replied without hesitation, 'That's a really unfair question because nobody ever really played me straight up,' he began. But he singled out the early 2000s, when the league introduced the 'Shaq Rules' as particularly challenging. 'When you can do the front and back, it got difficult for a while… with a guy in front of you, I really couldn't get the ball a lot. ' He also revealed how rugged the game was when he entered the league: 'It was the end of that 'Bad Boy' era. The Knicks would f*** you up. Detroit will still f*** you up.' He even admitted, 'Rik Smits used to embarrass me… Hakeem [Olajuwon] was the last one to give me work.' Though he eventually surpassed his contemporaries, saying he 'got Robinson out of there, I got Ewing out of there, I got Hakeem out of there,' Shaq acknowledged the mental and physical demands of the era. And yet, his peak came in this very stretch, when he led the Lakers to a historic three-peat from 2000 to 2002. The irony? His dominance grew in the very era he calls the toughest. Shaq didn't mince words when asked which current players could hang in his time: 'LeBron, of course—well, he did play in our era. KD also played in our era. That's about it.' But he made a bold addition, the Timberwolves' young star . 'Ant Edwards, big and strong,' he said, signaling that Edwards' physicality reminds him of a bygone era. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now No conversation with Shaq is complete without revisiting his iconic dunks. He singled out two as his favorites, including the infamous poster over Knicks center Chris Dudley. 'He was all over me, and I was like, 'Get the fu** off me,'' Shaq recalled. He laughed about it years later, even joking with Dudley, 'Are you trying to fight or you trying to give me a hug?' Also Read: The Hall of Famer's contribution to basketball has certainly been top-notch, while he enjoys the modern NBA game, in fact being an analyst in the Inside the NBA crew, he will never leave an opportunity to hail the old-school glory, especially of his time.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says iconic Larry O'Brien logo might return to Finals courts in 2026
Adam Silver. Image via: Jason Miller/ Getty Images The NBA could soon bring back a familiar sight to basketball's biggest stage. Following widespread fan criticism over the plain court setup during Game 1 of this year's Finals, Commissioner Adam Silver hinted at the possible return of the iconic Larry O'Brien trophy logo to the court by 2026. The absence of any Finals-specific graphics sparked backlash online, as fans questioned why the league abandoned what once made the championship atmosphere feel distinct. Adam Silver teases possible return of Larry O'Brien emblem on NBA Finals hardwood in 2026 Adam Silver. Image: David Dow/ Getty Images For fans who remember the courts of the 1990s and early 2000s, the Finals always came with their own visual identity. It has been a special decal or a large image of the Larry O'Brien trophy right at center court. According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, Silver acknowledged the recent uproar around its absence, saying, 'Maybe there's a way around it. To be honest, I hadn't thought all that much about it until I [saw] it [on social media]. I'm nostalgic, as well, for certain things.' Silver didn't dismiss the feedback. In fact, he explained how impactful visuals can be in today's media landscape: 'I think for a media-driven culture, whether it's people watching live or seeing those images on social media, it's nice when you're looking back on highlights and they stand out because you see that trophy logo or some other indication that it's a special event. So, we'll look at it.' While social media helped bring the issue into the spotlight, it's not the first time the league has fielded questions about its court design choices. NBC Sports Boston's Max Molski noted that the NBA hasn't used on-court decals in the Finals since 2020. Before that, custom logos had been a tradition for decades, used in various forms from 1989 to 2014. One factor that forced the league to ditch these unique court touches was player safety. According to Silver, the decision wasn't taken lightly: 'One of the reasons we moved away from the logos on the courts is — whether it was perception or reality — there was a sense that maybe the logos added some slipperiness to the court, and it was a change, sort of on the court that was coming just at the time of the finals.' There's also a matter of superstition and logistics. Silver added, 'Maybe it's for superstitious reasons or just a sense from teams that we shouldn't be changing things around such important competition.' He emphasized how much planning goes into alternate court designs, particularly when referencing the in-season Emirates Cup: 'It takes a significant amount of time to create new courts in terms of how they're painted, et cetera. ' Still, fans find it puzzling that the league can pull off extravagant, fully-painted courts for a midseason tournament but not for the NBA Finals. Also Read: 'It's gotta be': Tyrese Haliburton seemingly revealed the reason behind his stellar performance in Indiana Pacers' Finals Game 1 win With declining viewership and a vocal fanbase craving the nostalgic flair, bringing back the Finals court decals might be more than just a cosmetic change. It could restore part of what made the Finals feel like a spectacle. Indeed, it appears to be something Silver now seems open to revisiting.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
'Most dadcore thing' – NBA Fans was in awe as NFL veteran Tom Brady leaves out LeBron James from Mount Rushmore of GOATs list
Tom Brady and LeBron James. Photo via Imagn Images NFL legend draws the attention of NBA fans as he names some of the greatest athletes of all time, but surprisingly leaves out one major name from the world of basketball. Former American football quarterback and current sports broadcaster for the NFL, Tom Brady, in his recent interview, listed out the names of the athletes who are on his Mount Rushmore of GOAT s. While players like Kobe Bryant and Caitlin Clark made it to the list, the absence of LeBron James from the list is what drew the attention of the fans. Tom Brady announces Michael Jordan on the top of the list, supports other woman NBA players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and A'ja Wilson Tom Brady and LeBron James developed their friendship over the years as both athletes concentrated on establishing their careers in their respective sports. Even though they cannot be termed as the closest of friends, the players share a warm relationship through their posts on social media. Often, both of them are seen congratulating each other on any major achievements secured by either one of them. While fans have witnessed the sportsmanship from both sides, Brady's recent revelation of his Mount Rushmore of GOATs has generated significant reaction from the fans of the NBA veteran. More so with the inclusion of newcomers like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, fans seem to be quite dissatisfied with the NFL veteran list. In a recent interview, when asked about the list of GOATs, Brady instantly replied, 'Michael Jordan, he was my childhood idol. Obviously, I loved Kobe Bryant. Still love Kobe Bryant. Tiger — his competitiveness. What Rory McIlroy has done; I love that.' The veteran went on to name athletes from other sports as well, 'Shohei Ohtani, what he has done, has been unbelievable. Barry Bonds — he went to my high school. I was the biggest fan of his growing up. Michael Phelps, I love him. Michael Johnson. A'ja Wilson from my Las Vegas Aces. I love her. She's amazing. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, this little thing that they got going. I love that.' It is quite clear from his answer that Brady has placed Michael Jordan as the GOAT over LeBron James, which has been the centre of the GOAT debate within the NBA for a very long time now. LeBron fans have spoken up on the list with one of the users writing, 'tom brady putting caitlin and angel on his mount rushmore but not lebron is the most dadcore thing i've ever seen' Another one wrote, 'Lol pathetic' 'tom brady just picked jordan over lebron and put caitlin clark on his mount rushmore… y'all still calling him a system qb?' Also read: NBA Finals Game 1 hits record low viewership in the last 37 years despite Indiana Pacers' massive comeback With Brady announcing his list, another sports veteran has seemingly submitted his vote for the NBA GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Having Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese on the list as well has drawn criticism from the fans across the social media platforms.
