The New York Knicks just played in their first NBA Eastern Conference finals since 2000.
They just had two consecutive 50-win seasons for the first time since 1993-1994 and 1994-95.
The Knicks were close to a Game 7 in this season’s East finals and not far from playing in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
But there was no Game 7 for the Knicks and no NBA Finals appearance. And now, no more Thibodeau.
The Knicks cut ties with Thibodeau on Tuesday, June 3.
“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” Knicks president Leon Rose said, in part, in a statement. “This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction.’
It proves the axiom: there is a shelf life on every coach.
And it proves a Thibodeau-specific truism: his shelf life with a team does not extend beyond five seasons.
He lasted just five seasons with the Chicago Bulls despite five playoffs appearances, including one spot in the East finals.
He made it just three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves with two playoffs appearances, both first-round exits.
And now, he’s done in New York after three consecutive playoffs appearances.
Can’t wait to hear what Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, the head of the National Basketball Coaches Association, says about Thibodeau’s dismissal when he meets with the media at Finals availability Wednesday, June 4, in Oklahoma City.
Thibodeau did a fantastic job, altering the way the Knicks are viewed as a team and franchise. He helped change the culture. There is a part of this firing that doesn’t seem right, but that’s also the business of professional sports. And the decision made by Rose and his staff might not be wrong, either.
Just like the Bulls and Timberwolves before, the Knicks’ front office believes another coach is needed to get New York one step closer to a title — what would be its first since 1973.
Thibodeau is an excellent coach and knows Xs and Os. He has been in the NBA since 1989 — the last 13 years as a head coach. But the Game 1 debacle against the Pacers — when the Knicks squandered a 115-101 lead with 4:06 left in the fourth quarter and lost 138-135 in overtime — and New York’s inability to stop Indiana runs with games on the line sunk Thibodeau.
It’s not unusual for a team to need a new voice and approach to reach the next level. Someone more nimble. Steve Kerr replaced Mark Jackson in Golden State, Ty Lue took over for David Blatt in Cleveland, Nick Nurse came in for Dwane Casey in Toronto, Frank Vogel filled Luke Walton’s chair with the Los Angeles Lakers.
What direction is that for the Knicks? The franchise has deep ties to the Creative Artists Agency, and Rose was a prominent agent with CAA before taking the Knicks’ job. It won’t surprise anyone if the Knicks stick with someone from CAA.
Michael Malone is a name to watch. Malone is a championship coach, leading Denver to the title in 2023, has coached stars and is a New York native. He was born in Queens when his dad, Brendan, was a high school coach at famed Power Memorial Academy, where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played.
Whoever gets the job, the message is clear: Win a title. Or else.
Follow NBA columnist Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt