Firing Tom Thibodeau carries big risks

In just two weeks, Tom Thibodeau went from coaching the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years, to being the most recent head coach fired this past Tuesday. It was a stunning move considering the team’s return to relevance, but there were too many doubts about Thibodeau's ability to maximize a roster built to win now. While questions about his roster management were understandable, the reasons for keeping him outweigh the drawbacks. 

Since Thibodeau’s arrival, the Knicks have re-emerged as championship contenders after years of ineptitude. His leadership is the reason why Knicks fans are regularly parading on 7th Avenue after every win. The last three seasons have particularly seen notable progress, with multiple first round victories and a Conference Finals appearance this season. While the end was disappointing, the team was clearly headed in the right direction under Thibodeau’s guidance. This is why management should’ve given Thibodeau the benefit of the doubt in regards to having the roster play at its full potential. 

While Thibodeau’s philosophy of playing the starters extensive minutes was questioned by critics, there was no doubt that he always had them prepared to compete from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Even if some didn’t agree with Thibodeau’s minutes distribution, most players bought into his approach, which is an important success metric for a coach. There’s no better example of the players’ support than when Jalen Brunson walked out of the press conference after game 6, when asked if Thibodeau should continue as coach. 

It’s fair to say Thibodeau could’ve gotten even more out of a roster this talented, but the reality is that it takes time for a team to develop the chemistry necessary to win a championship. With the acquisitions of Mikal Bridges and Karl Anthony-Towns, the Knicks’ starting lineup wasn’t even finalized until the eve of training camp. It made New York’s playoff run even more impressive, which is why Thibodeau would’ve had this roster ready to play at a higher level next season had he not been released. 
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The Knicks front office is taking a massive chance with this move, which could be the difference between a decent playoff run and a championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes.