Former Knicks head coach Mike Woodson, who interviewed for the team’s top coaching position again this time around, is expected to rejoin the organization in some capacity, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
There were rumors during the Knicks’ coaching search that Woodson was a candidate to be hired as an assistant, so Charania’s report doesn’t come as a real surprise. Still, it’s worth noting that on a conference call with reporters on Thursday, Knicks GM Scott Perry said that Thibodeau will have the autonomy to build his own coaching staff, as Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News tweets. Perry added that the staff will be “diverse,” with a focus on player development.
Based on reports to date, it sounds like the support for Woodson has come from within the Knicks organization. If he ends up joining the team’s coaching staff, that should be confirmation that Thibodeau wants him on board as well.
Here’s more on the Knicks and their new head coach:
- In addition to Woodson, Mike Miller, Rick Brunson, and Daisuke Yoshimoto are the names that Steve Popper of Newsday keeps hearing as possibilities for Thibodeau’s new coaching staff (Twitter link). Brunson and Yoshimoto both worked under Thibs in Minnesota.
- Speaking to reporters today, Thibodeau cited three main reasons why he viewed the Knicks’ job as an attractive one, tweets Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. Thibs praised the current roster, referring to it as “young and talented” with “room for growth”; he said he’s excited about the draft assets and cap flexibility the team has at its disposal; and he indicated that the presence of Leon Rose and William Wesley in the front office is also appealing.
- Maurice Harkless, an unrestricted free agent this fall, isn’t sure whether or not he’ll be back with the Knicks in 2020/21, but he’s intrigued by the hiring of Thibodeau, calling him a “great coach,” writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Harkless hasn’t played for Thibodeau before, but met him earlier in 2019/20 when the veteran coach visited the Clippers.
Add a divisive and stubborn coach to the biggest stage to work with one of the most dysfunctional teams in all of sports- what could go wrong?
I’m still surprised he came to NY. He could of had his pick of any team after the playoffs. The Rockets, Nets, etc
I’d wait until October to hire new coach
Bucks and Clippers could part ways with coach on october
Thibs’ players loved him in Chicago. He was only ‘divisive” when he asked Wiggins et al to actually work hard in MN. I think you will be surprised at what Thibs can squeeze out of lemons. Those mediocre guards will be much better next year due to his tutelage and game plans.
I think for the next year or two any disputes with players will result in the player being shown the door, not Thibs. If he does not get some results after that, then he will be in jeopardy as any coach would.
He helped build the Ewing D team here. He knows city. Which is a priority to come here. Most who fail. It’s because they don’t know it. Or don’t respect it enough. He ain’t no rookie. He knows what’s expected. And what he can do with what he’s got. Next yr Knicks will be youngest team in NBA. Only one way to go from here. UP
Knicks are not able to afford Harkless，crap vet
Sign MLE with Rockets after dumping Gordon’s 76 million contract
That makes way more sense. If the Rockets have to dump salary, they will move Gordon long before they even consider dumping RoCo.
Salary dump needs competitive compensation offseason
Was his Resume his lone Title in 08’ as a Celtics Assistant idk how he keeps getting job after job for Mediocrity at Best
I don’t understand the Thibs hate here. He is a good basketball mind, a terrific in-game coach, and innovates around the actual players he has available, rather than forcing a style of play – his defensive credibility is because he knows how to turn mediocre defenders into better defenders, and that in turn creates opportunities offensively for guards who thus overachieve (see, Robinson, Nate, and Augustin, D.J.). He will improve the Knicks next season even if they do not visibly improve the roster. Call me out next year if I am wrong, but I won’t be.