Ever since the Knicks hired ex-agent Leon Rose to direct their basketball operations, Tom Thibodeau has been considered the leader of the team’s next coach. Rose and Thibodeau have a decades-long relationship and Thibodeau reportedly wants the job.
Now comes another report, this time from New York Daily News’s well-connected Stefan Bondy, that the job is Thibodeau’s to lose.
Moving on to the Leon Rose era cannot begin seriously until he hires his coach. To this end, sources say Tom Thibodeau is the heavy favorite to get the job … But the belief is that this is a loss for Thibodeau, and a source said he is confident of getting the job – to the point that Thibodeau has made calls to assemble a staff.
There will be other respondents, Kenny Atkinson and interim coach Mike Miller are on the list, there may be others. However, the buzz around the league is that this will be Thibodeau’s job next season.
Thibodeau wants to train the NBA again. Is he the right person? This is under discussion. Thibodeau has a win-now coaching history that relies on veterans, has struggled to build relationships with some young players like Karl-Anthony Towns, and has clashed with management in more than one stop. For his part, Thibodeau claims to have grown up and will bring a new perspective to his next job.
Whether New York builds with its young core or trades for a star (if it becomes available), it seems that Thibodeau will be tasked with turning this team back into a playoff team. It may take a couple of seasons, hopefully, this time managing the Knicks can be patient with that process.
Another relationship Tom Thibodeau is the ‘heavy favorite’ to become the next Knicks manager originally appeared on NBCSports.com
