New York Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau Replacement Quest Shot Down With Profanity: Reports

ESPN reporter Shams Charania had an intruging take on the Knicks' search for a new HC after sacking Tom Thibodeau after the ECF Finals.

New York Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau Replacement Quest Shot Down With Profanity: Reports

Ime Udoka, Jason Kidd and Tom Thibodeau (Image by FirstSportz)

Shortly after losing to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks decided to remove head coach Tom Thibodeau. Given that the Knicks have already asked numerous head coaches for their head coach position, this created several questions over his succession. They were, however, rejected by every team.

ESPN reporter Shams Charania recently elaborated on this deal. Per Charania, the Knicks have reportedly received direct and even offensive rejections in their hunt for a new head coach. Charania discussed the Knicks’ unsuccessful attempts to speak with numerous current head coaches throughout the NBA on The Rich Eisen Show, exposing that some organizations reacted negatively.

Out of the five rejections, some of the scenarios that I heard was, you know, teams would just hang up. They would say no and hang up. Teams would have maybe some profanity. Maybe there’s some ‘F*** no.’

Shams Charania said

Despite having just finished their best campaign in more than 20 years, it is a harsh critique of the Knicks’ current standing in the minds of their peers. After making it to the Eastern Conference Finals, New York surprised the NBA community by firing Tom Thibodeau, and what was initially billed as an upgrading search swiftly turned into a league-wide spectacle.

The Knicks implemented a very weird strategy on the list of coaches they tried to interview: Quin Snyder (Hawks), Chris Finch (Timberwolves), Jason Kidd (Mavericks), Ime Udoka (Rockets), and Billy Donovan (Bulls). Everyone said no. The majority didn’t even consider it. According to Charania, at least some of them reacted with immediate rejection or profanity.

Since firing Thibodeau shortly after the Indiana Pacers eliminated the Knicks from the Eastern Conference playoffs, the team has been operating without a coach. Who they choose to take over from the former Knicks head coach in the upcoming days or weeks is still up in the air.

Shams Charania also provided a positive update on the Knicks’ HC position

The Knicks searched widely for Thibodeau’s replacement in the weeks that followed, but they were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign any of the available coaches(as mentioned above). However, they haven’t given up; instead, they are hell bent on appointing Thibodeau’s successor. Notably, Shams Charania also provided a positive update on the situation.

Tom Thibodeau
Former New York Knicks Head Coach Tom Thibodeau (Credits: X)

I expect them to look today, tomorrow, and over the weekend into some former head coaches, maybe even assistant coaches at the NBA level right now.

Shams Charania said

Per reports, Taylor Jenkins, who has led the Memphis Grizzlies for the last six seasons, and Mike Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year with a 454-304 career record that included a 2007 trip to the NBA Finals, may be part of New York’s search. Also, Michael Malone, who won an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, remains a hot target.

Pistons HC J.B. Bickerstaff did not hold back on the Knicks after the sacking of Tom Thibodeau

After the Knicks sacked their coach a few days after a trip to the ECF Finals, people from all across the NBA, including the Knicks players themselves, defended Tom Thibodeau. The decision was well received by the league’s coaches as well, and J.B. Bickerstaff, the head coach of the Detroit Pistons, had harsh criticism of the Knicks.

It’s the final straw, I think, of what’s happened this season and the level of respect we feel coaches deserve versus what they’re getting. Some of the decisions made down the stretch firing coaches, it just shows there are some places that don’t value what coaching is and what it can bring.

J.B. Bickerstaff told the media

Now, as the Knicks head into the offseason, they have to make quick decisions if they are to compete for the upcoming NBA season. One of them is hiring a first-team HC as soon as possible. It remains to be seen how this process unfolds in the coming days.

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