Well it was fun while it lasted. Much more likely the Knicks end up back in the cellar than into the NBA finals.
Thibodeau just doesn’t have a sustainable model of coaching to last over a long period of time. The Knicks have a good roster and a good (enough) bench to the point where the starting 5 doesn’t have to play 39 minutes a night when they’re home against the Hornets in January. Extrapolate that across multiple seasons and it was time for a change. He also doesn’t really run an offense. Everyone stands still and wait for Brunson to make a play or Towns to start from the three point line and make a play. The optics suck but I think it’s the right move. Mike Malone won a championship two years ago and the Nuggets fired him a week before the playoffs. It’s just how it goes in a player driven league like the NBA.
There has to be a bright coach out there willing to take on the Knicks. What about the coach from Connecticut? Can we get someone to instill ball movement and set plays.
I think the Knicks are making a huge mistake. This is why this organization never experiences long term success. When they have something good, instead of building on it, they blow it up. They did it last year and they are doing it again this year. Knicks didn't lose this because of Thibs. They lost because they don't have depth. Too many cooks in the kitchen, not enough waiting staff. Too many situational players, too much ISO. Did you know that before the KAT trade, the Knicks were ranked as having a top bench in the NBA? It's comical in hindsight. Hart and Donte made a big difference coming off the bench. They never replaced Quickley, Donte or Hart's bench production.. and to a lesser extent Obi Toppin / Quentin Grimes. They just keep giving away their young bench pieces and we see them making impacts on other teams. It's literally all on Leon Rose. He's covering his ass like a snake. I just hope they don't force another big trade this year. Just add a good bench scorer who can defend and finish games if needed. Plus the Thunder now know what it feels like to be Haliburtoned. Are they going to fire their coach if they lose to Indiana? Should the Cavs fire Atkinson? Losing in the conference finals isn't even a negative thing, that's what is crazy. Best Knicks team in 25 years, despite having almost no bench and they beat Boston, something nobody thought they could do. This is the type of shit you expect after missing the playoffs, not overachieving and getting to the ECF. Are the Knicks just so used to losing for the last 2 decades that they treat good seasons the same as bad ones? What a joke.
I think the aforementioned bench players are more replaceable than advertised. I also thought they should’ve given it one more go with the core they had before the KAT trade. But this core the Knicks have is good. McBride, Payne, Shamet, Robinson, etc. are decent if you let Hart play point forward off the bench. Teams find good bench players all the time on modest contracts. Dennis Schroder for the Pistons is a good example. The key is mixing and matching the players throughout the course of the game to give some starters rest while maintaining with the bench. Even when Thibodeau did that he just went all bench or all starters. That’s dumb.
I'm sure the NBA does care about that stuff but the product they sell is competition so it is what it is. Halliburton is becoming a legend before everyones eyes. I remember Siakam when he won a championship with Toronto and I remember when Toppin was with the Knicks. I hate to say it the Pacers are going to win it all looks like destiny. .
Ehem. Pacers needed my good luck charm to win a championship apparently. I moved to Indy and bam Pacers are playing great ball. Go Pacers!!!!
Sadly, the Knicks fired Thibs without having a backup plan and this is pretty obvious. Their first moves are trying to trade for coaches that are already established. As if Kidd or the Rockets coach are going anywhere. Plus roster needs a revamp and they don't have the money to do it without moving a big name player, which doesn't make us better, no matter who you get back. No matter what the Knicks do they will get ripped off here. They invested 5 first rounders in Bridges, it would be wild to see him leave for a bag of chips.
Pacers are now two wins away. Thunder must win 3 of the next 4. Pacers can bury the Thunder in game 4....
yeah dang I still think OKC is the better team but I’ll hand it to Indiana, especially their coaching staff for what they are doing
I thought Indiana would be competitive tbh. It also goes to show the Knicks lost to a pretty damn good team. Indiana is the real deal. In a way this run that Indiana is on is very similar to the Mavericks in 2011. Rick Carlisle might just be the best coach in the NBA if he pulls it off again.
