Latest news with #TomThibodeau
New York Post
6 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Why trading for a new coach isn't a reliable Knicks recipe
It has been a week since the Knicks fired their most successful coach of the century, ending Tom Thibodeau's five-year tenure after falling two wins short of the NBA Finals. The Knicks appear to be in no great rush to fill the league's only head coaching vacancy, with time to explore the potential of trading for seemingly unavailable candidates, including Houston's Ime Udoka, Minnesota's Chris Finch and, most seriously, Dallas' Jason Kidd, all of whom the Knicks reportedly have interest in. Trading for a coach is rare for many reasons, beginning with the cooperation of one team to allow another team to poach a successful coach under contract. Houston reportedly has 'no interest' in letting Udoka leave. The interest between the Knicks and Kidd is mutual, but that's not the same as getting permission for an interview.
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Doc Rivers tells Kobe Bryant story from 2008 NBA Finals: 'He put that fear in you, man'
Doc Rivers tells Kobe Bryant story from 2008 NBA Finals: 'He put that fear in you, man' Kobe Bryant, the late Los Angeles Lakers great, was one of the greatest basketball players and overall athletes of all time. He led the Lakers to five NBA championships, and he was not only one of the greatest crunch-time performers ever but, in the minds of some, he was possibly the greatest closer ever. Even when the Lakers were down by double digits in the fourth quarter of a game, fans often thought there was still a chance the team could pull out a victory because of Bryant's exploits under pressure and his lack of fear. Like anyone else, he had his share of lowlights, and one of the worst moments of his career came when L.A. was embarrassed in the 2008 NBA Finals by the archrival Boston Celtics. It lost Game 6, 131-92, in Boston as the Celtics claimed their 17th championship, and although the Celtics were ahead by a wide margin down the stretch, head coach Doc Rivers could still feel the fear that Bryant always put in the minds and hearts of opponents. Celtics defensive coordinator Tom Thibodeau wanted Rivers to take his starters out midway through the fourth quarter, but Rivers refused because he feared that Bryant could get L.A. back in the game. Via Fox Sports: 'Game 6 was terrific,' Rivers said. 'That's a moment that I remember in 2008. The funniest moment, Kobe knows this, but we were up 1,000 [points] in Game 6 and the guy who you would least expect walks over to me during the game -- Tom Thibodeau -- and he asks me, 'Are you going to sub out? There's six minutes and we're up 42 points.' 'Of all the guys to say that, it's Tom Thibodeau. And I looked over there at the Lakers and Kobe was still on the floor, and I actually said, 'When Phil [Jackson] takes that guy out, I take my guys out.' And Thibs said, 'You're safe.' And I said, 'Not with that guy on the floor.' 'I was dead serious. I had obviously lost my mind because it was a 42-point lead. But he put that fear in you, man. He could run off threes. I was obviously not good at math, so I was worried about him. Then finally Phil took him out so I could sub. It was good.' The type of deficit the Lakers faced in the fourth quarter of that game was one even Bryant couldn't overcome. The embarrassment they suffered bonded the team together, and coming into next season, it was clearly on a mission. It won the 2009 NBA title, but it defeated the Orlando Magic and not the Celtics. The Lakers finally got another shot at the men in green in the 2010 finals, and this time, they won it all, as they overcame a 13-point deficit in the third quarter of Game 7. Bryant shot 6-of-24 from the field in that seventh game, but he played very well for most of the second half and especially in the fourth quarter, as he found ways to be efficient offensively while also contributing in other areas. For those who paid attention to his excellent play down the stretch of the game, it reinforced his image as arguably basketball's ultimate closer.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks rumors: How player input factored into New York's decision to fire Tom Thibodeau
The post Knicks rumors: How player input factored into New York's decision to fire Tom Thibodeau appeared first on ClutchPoints. Shortly after the New York Knicks were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, they decided to surprisingly fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after a five-year run at the helm. Advertisement Thibs took the Knicks to their first conference final in 25 years, but Leon Rose and James Dolan ultimately made the call to cut ties with the veteran boss, who will surely land a job elsewhere. That being said, it appears the players had their say in the decision as well. Via SNY's Ian Begley: 'According to SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley, player input during their end of season meetings with owner James Dolan in attendance was a factor in the ultimate decision to move on from Thibodeau. 'Players were respectful of the veteran coach, who they have a great deal of respect and admiration for, but they also pointed out in those meetings that there were things Thibodeau did that could be improved.' Advertisement Thibodeau has always been respected across the NBA by players and coaches. But, behind the scenes, there were clearly some things the Knicks players didn't love. That's despite him bringing a level of playoff success to the organization that they haven't seen in years. The search now begins for their next coach, with Jason Kidd and Ime Udoka reportedly on their radar. The Houston Rockets have zero interest in even giving New York permission to speak with Udoka, while Kidd appears to be comfortable with the Dallas Mavericks. Michael Malone is another option after he was fired late in the season by the Denver Nuggets. He was previously an assistant for the Knicks. New York has lots of candidates they can target, but this job doesn't come without pressure. Thibodeau embraced that and did the best he could to help make NY a winning franchise again. It just wasn't enough to help them end their 52-year championship drought. Related: Bill Simmons questions the role Jalen Brunson's dad will play in Knicks' HC search Related: NBA rumors: Knicks expected to make Jason Kidd request after Tom Thibodeau firing
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Metta World Peace campaigns to replace former Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau
The post Metta World Peace campaigns to replace former Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau appeared first on ClutchPoints. Following the New York Knicks' decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday, former NBA champion Metta Sandiford-Artest — formerly known as Metta World Peace — publicly expressed interest in taking over the position. Advertisement Sandiford-Artest made his pitch via X, formerly known as Twitter, where he advocated for himself as the ideal candidate to lead the Knicks. 'Metta is the perfect choice for head coach of the @nyknicks. Since 1999 this was suppose to happen. I've never ran from the city,' he wrote. 'When all the top players left NYC because it was hard , I went to @StJohnsBBall. I wanted to be drafted by the Knicks, I seemed to be the only one un-afraid of the city. I'm built to challenge the city. I'm the number one guy for the job. And I have 360degree experience.' Metta Sandiford-Artest makes case to replace Tom Thibodeau as Knicks' coaching search begins Sandiford-Artest, 45, was selected No. 16 overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. A Queens native, he spent 19 seasons in the NBA with the Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks. He earned All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2004 and played a key role in the Lakers' 2010 NBA championship run. He retired from professional basketball in 2017. Advertisement His brief stint with the Knicks came during the 2013–14 season, where he appeared in 29 games before being waived. Thibodeau, who was hired by the Knicks ahead of the 2020–21 season, was dismissed after leading the team to a 226–174 regular-season record and a 24–23 postseason mark. His tenure included four playoff appearances in five years and the franchise's first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000. The Knicks have not named an interim or permanent replacement for Thibodeau. As the organization begins its search, Sandiford-Artest becomes the latest high-profile figure to express interest in the vacancy.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Zach Lowe puts Knicks' Tom Thibodeau critics on blast with truth bomb
The post Zach Lowe puts Knicks' Tom Thibodeau critics on blast with truth bomb appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New York Knicks made a surprising move and fired Tom Thibodeau after the team was two wins away from making it to the NBA Finals. There are some people who are confused as to why the Knicks made that move, while others are justifying him being fired because of the decisions he's made. Some of those decisions include playing his starters extended minutes and barely playing his bench. Advertisement Though the outside world doesn't think that Thibodeau has mapped out these situations in his head, the reality is he probably has. With the critics continuing to think they have all the answers, Zach Lowe recently put them on blast. 'Here's the thing about coaches: The coaches that you all think suck and are dumb and slow to adjust, you have that conversation with them, you're gonna realize real fast how out of your depth you are,' Lowe said on his podcast. Coaches are probably the smartest people in the arena, and they have a plan of what they're going to do, but that probably comes with trial and error. Whatever ideas that people have thrown out that Thibodeau should've done, there's a good chance that he already thought about that situation. What direction do the Knicks go in now? Thibodeau was arguably the best coach in franchise history, but it seems like the organization felt like they could get better in the coaching department. There were some things that were questionable about Thibodeau's coaching style, and one of them was how much he plays the starters. The thing with that is he's been doing that at every coaching stop. Every player knows what they're getting into when he's the head coach, and in this case, it almost got the Knicks to the Finals. Advertisement Now, it will be interesting to see who the Knicks will look at when it comes to their next head coach. There are a few options, including Michael Malone, who was fired from the Denver Nuggets toward the end of the regular season. Taylor Jenkins could also be an option, as he was fired by the Memphis Grizzlies around the same time as Malone. The Knicks will also have some roster decisions to make, and there's a chance that they could switch up their core five if they think they can get better. Related: NBA rumors: Why Tim MacMahon 'won't dismiss' Jason Kidd leaving Mavericks for Knicks Related: How Mavericks, Knicks could discuss Jason Kidd trade after Tom Thibodeau firing
