Good article. Leon is doing a detailed search as time is not of the essence right now. The Knicks don’t have any significant draft choices (#50) but they may want the coach onboard before any trades
Snarky comment- Screaming A Smith is saying that the Knicks are doing this wrong, so the Knicks are definitely on the right path
I think people have lost their minds about this. That said, I think we have to at least be fair in that coaches who take teams to the conference finals are rarely fired, especially a team who hadn't been there in 25 years so when something like this happens, there are lots of extra eye balls on it. This is not your typical firing. Throw in the fact that Dolan has meddled in the past and the fact that the media doesn't like the Knicks because they give them little to no access and you have this avalanche of criticism. I agree when you decide Thibs is not the guy, you fire him and start your search. You don't keep him around and conduct a search behind his back and then fire him when you have his replacement - that would be even worse. Clearly this decision was made last week. They were likely on the fence on Thibs and the player interviews sealed the deal. There is no way Bridges was happy last year and he's due an extension this summer and has a ton of leverage with what the Knicks gave up to get him. It's hard not to think Thibs was done in by the strong play of Shamet and Wright who apparently weren't good enough to play and then played well after Thibs was forced to make a change down 0-2. It's never good to basically tell your boss the players he got you aren't good enough only to be proven wrong on national TV.
I have no interest in Mike Brown. Taylor Jenkins is an interesting name and a good coach. I still wouldn't completely close the door on Kidd. He's a bit of a weasel and let's see if he can find his way out of Dallas. I really like Johnnie Bryant but I think it's unlikely he gets the job. They need a coach in place by the end of the month so there's a little less than 3 weeks. Let's see what happens
I agree, letting Thibs go was the right thing to do. He's too rigid. Maybe not the right guy for this group of players. He also needed to get his bench more involved, especially the rookies. These things have been apparent for a while going back before this year. Leon Rose has always seemed level headed in the choices he's made for the team so I have some faith in the team finding a very good coach and making adjustments to the team's direction.
As usual, a sane, fact based article laid out by you, Tommy. Thibs will always have a special place in my Knicks fan heart, but it was time to move on. And doing due diligence finding the replacement isn't a "lack of direction", it's actually quite the opposite.
They're the only team with an opening right now, and they can afford to (HAVE TO) be selective with their next coach. I have full confidence that they'll do everything to get it right, Leon has earned the trust multiple times over
The irony is the only "LOL SAME OL DUMB KNICKS" thing they could do is rushing and hiring the first big-name coach who will agree to take dolan's money
Sure all the “media” have great insight into the Knicks “process”. Barkley and the TNT crew need to shut it and how about we never have a playoff game broadcast by “Ferengi” Miller in his Pacers jersey.
“Knicks for clicks” I like that. Thoughtful analysis and discourse is missing in all parts of our social media-riddled, brain-rot, 24/7 stupidity filled media landscape. I wonder if any players actually preferred Thibs? Was Jalen honest when asked that question after their final loss?
Also - thanks for being a stalwart of analytical and critical thinking that seems to be lacking from the TikTok inspired yelling coming from celeb “journalists”
I'm sure some players preferred Thibs. If for no other reason, playing heavy minutes means padding counting stats, which often leads to bigger paydays...
As for Brunson, it's tough to tell. He comes from the Jeter school of saying the perfect thing in public. It would be fascinating to hear what he says to Leon in private.
Good article. Leon is doing a detailed search as time is not of the essence right now. The Knicks don’t have any significant draft choices (#50) but they may want the coach onboard before any trades
Snarky comment- Screaming A Smith is saying that the Knicks are doing this wrong, so the Knicks are definitely on the right path
thanks Bruce!
And yes, when SAS and Charles Barkley say you are doing sonething dumb, you know you are doing something smart
Just refer to The Opposite episode of Seinfeld. If If every instinct you had was wrong, the opposite must be right!
lol exactly
I think people have lost their minds about this. That said, I think we have to at least be fair in that coaches who take teams to the conference finals are rarely fired, especially a team who hadn't been there in 25 years so when something like this happens, there are lots of extra eye balls on it. This is not your typical firing. Throw in the fact that Dolan has meddled in the past and the fact that the media doesn't like the Knicks because they give them little to no access and you have this avalanche of criticism. I agree when you decide Thibs is not the guy, you fire him and start your search. You don't keep him around and conduct a search behind his back and then fire him when you have his replacement - that would be even worse. Clearly this decision was made last week. They were likely on the fence on Thibs and the player interviews sealed the deal. There is no way Bridges was happy last year and he's due an extension this summer and has a ton of leverage with what the Knicks gave up to get him. It's hard not to think Thibs was done in by the strong play of Shamet and Wright who apparently weren't good enough to play and then played well after Thibs was forced to make a change down 0-2. It's never good to basically tell your boss the players he got you aren't good enough only to be proven wrong on national TV.
I have no interest in Mike Brown. Taylor Jenkins is an interesting name and a good coach. I still wouldn't completely close the door on Kidd. He's a bit of a weasel and let's see if he can find his way out of Dallas. I really like Johnnie Bryant but I think it's unlikely he gets the job. They need a coach in place by the end of the month so there's a little less than 3 weeks. Let's see what happens
agreed - Bridges def holds sway considering his extension is looming... I think Kidd is def still in play...
I agree, letting Thibs go was the right thing to do. He's too rigid. Maybe not the right guy for this group of players. He also needed to get his bench more involved, especially the rookies. These things have been apparent for a while going back before this year. Leon Rose has always seemed level headed in the choices he's made for the team so I have some faith in the team finding a very good coach and making adjustments to the team's direction.
As usual, a sane, fact based article laid out by you, Tommy. Thibs will always have a special place in my Knicks fan heart, but it was time to move on. And doing due diligence finding the replacement isn't a "lack of direction", it's actually quite the opposite.
They're the only team with an opening right now, and they can afford to (HAVE TO) be selective with their next coach. I have full confidence that they'll do everything to get it right, Leon has earned the trust multiple times over
Bingo!
The irony is the only "LOL SAME OL DUMB KNICKS" thing they could do is rushing and hiring the first big-name coach who will agree to take dolan's money
Frankie Says, “Relax”.😂😂 I’m
Sure all the “media” have great insight into the Knicks “process”. Barkley and the TNT crew need to shut it and how about we never have a playoff game broadcast by “Ferengi” Miller in his Pacers jersey.
Separated at birth!
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSUdsNbUVw8lHtTC1AV_yeweSVt02taitftcdm_RsUhEQ&s=10
hahaahh'
“Knicks for clicks” I like that. Thoughtful analysis and discourse is missing in all parts of our social media-riddled, brain-rot, 24/7 stupidity filled media landscape. I wonder if any players actually preferred Thibs? Was Jalen honest when asked that question after their final loss?
Also - thanks for being a stalwart of analytical and critical thinking that seems to be lacking from the TikTok inspired yelling coming from celeb “journalists”
Very much appreciate the kind words, Matty B.
I'm sure some players preferred Thibs. If for no other reason, playing heavy minutes means padding counting stats, which often leads to bigger paydays...
As for Brunson, it's tough to tell. He comes from the Jeter school of saying the perfect thing in public. It would be fascinating to hear what he says to Leon in private.