Former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy believes the organization is making the right choice in Tom Thibodeau, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Thibodeau, who is close to finalizing a five-year agreement with the team, was brought to New York as an assistant by Van Gundy in 1996.
“I’m extremely happy for Tom and equally happy for the Knicks as they hired an elite coach who will give everything he has to turn the Knicks around,” the ABC/ESPN broadcaster said.
New York began its search June 4 and talked to 11 candidates. However, many were considered to be courtesy interviews as Thibodeau was reportedly a strong favorite all along. Berman points out that five of the candidates — Ime Udoka, Wes Hardy, Chris Fleming, Pat Delaney and Jamahl Mosley — have no experience as NBA head coaches.
“Tom has always been their guy,” a source told Berman.
There’s more news on the Knicks:
- The Knicks first offered the job to Thibodeau on Thursday morning, Berman tweets. He responded with a counter offer later in the day, but they didn’t make significant progress toward an agreement until Saturday.
- Thibodeau should have plenty of time to prepare for a proposed group workout next month involving the eight teams not in Orlando, Berman writes in a separate story. Knicks president Leon Rose supports the idea of the gathering so the young roster can learn the new coach’s system, but isn’t in favor of scrimmages with other teams.
- Interim coach Mike Miller and former Knicks head coach Mike Woodson both have “strong internal support” to be part of Thibodeau’s staff, sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv. Among those conducting the interviews along with Rose were executive vice president and senior advisor William “World Wide Wes” Wesley, general manager Scott Perry, and vice president of basketball and strategic planning Brock Aller.
- The Knicks’ new management team has long supported Thibodeau, and the only real alternative would have been John Calipari if he had been willing to leave Kentucky, a source tells Steve Popper of Newsday.
- Ed Pinckney, Andy Greer and Rick Brunson served as assistants to Thibodeau in both Chicago and Minnesota and should be considered candidates to join his staff in New York, notes Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, who also hears that Miller may be retained to provide some continuity. Vorkunov speculates that the hiring of Thibodeau means the Knicks aren’t interested in a long rebuilding process.
Thunder and Spurs are on the way to rebuild
More and more teams will rebuild
Knicks will have to succeed in free agent market
Otherwise Knicks are still Knicks
Whoever the coach Knicks need better players. All Coaches need good players
Knicks would Have wasted of money on Thib if superstars are not coming next 3 years
If I were Rose or WWW, I am all in on superstars next 3 years
Scott Perry and Thib will be part ways if no superstars
LoL what makes you think now Superstars coming to MSG. I would of gone with Atkinson and build by the draft.
Now that Tibs is the coach I pray the T-wolves can get ahead in the draft and get Ball……Wolves can then screw the Knicks the way the Bulls did to get the “THE guy” Tibs needs to build his team…He wrecked the Wolves going after Butler and will now do it going after Ball. That and your 7 man rotation will kill the players physically. I predict James Johnson and the Wolves 1st 1st round pick going to the Knicks for their entire 2020 draft plus net years #1….Wolves clear the books of Johnsons contract and get major capital to work other deals or get who they want in the draft. Wolves have a chance to be a very different team this year.
Wiggins killed the Wolves. He’s a dog and Jimmy called it. Owners didn’t back Thibs. They could of moved Wiggins then and got plenty. Instead they paid dearly to give him away. Warriors don’t want him either. Butler is best 2way player in basketball. Sixers blew it by keeping Harris instead of Jimmy. Look what he did in Miami. Wolves were smart. They could bring back Love. Cavs would take their second 1st rd pick and salary. I do that now. Love fits in nice with KAT. It would go long way with fans too.
Thibs knows NYC which most don’t. And that’s the first thing you need to know. Knicks are rebuilding. But after a good draft this yr. It’s all about who they can get to come. We’re not giving picks away. There will be players to be had in next two yrs. There’s no rush. When you have 6 #1 picks in next 3 drafts. Plenty of cap space. And a franchise who doesn’t sweat the luxury tax. Knicks will get Woods next yr. Move Randle and a lot closer to 7-8 seed. Then we’ll take it from there. Thibs alone is gd for 8th seed. But most important thing now. Is build a foundation with the young talent. Everything else will fall into place. Thibs is a solid choice.
Warriors don’t want Wiggins because of his contract and tax, nothing else
Wiggins can be replaced by Grant and Craig From Nuggets
If Wiggins have a similar contract like LaVine he is fine
Wrong information Sillivan.
Draft? Knicks could have the first FOUR picks i this year’s draft and it wouldn’t do anything for their W-L record this year. WWW was brought in to recruit top free agents. Not sure if he still has a relationship with LeBron or not. LJ is opting out of the last year of his Laker deal after next season and I DO know LeBron was this close to going to NYK (Decision) several years ago. Many feel that being “that guy” that brings the Knicks back to prominence intrigues him. It’d probably be in the Knicks interest that LeBron wins it all this year in the bubble games.
Thibs didn’t sign up for any Process.
Thibs will give the base more drama than Miller or Fizdale would.