Breaking: Tom Fired

[Susan]

Go back and read the Bulls board from back then. They thought we were going to be champs once he left. THREE PLAYOFF VICTORIES IN A DECADE.



https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brunsja01.html

I don't want to come off as a hater in the slightest - I love Brunson and was rooting for y'all hard - as hard as I've rooted for any team in NBA in the last decade but look at that career arc. Once he got to NYC and played with Thibs, he took off. Just like he elevated Derrick to be the youngest MVP in NBA history - he's elevated Brunson. I hope for your sake Brunson continues to progress but I'm leery.

The reality is - the heart and soul that you've seen your team play with just got thrown away for the lottery ticket that you'll replace Thibs with a better coach. The reality is - there aren't that many dudes out there that are better than him, and while he has limitations, you just had one of the best playoff runs of your life. Coming from a fan who has had nothing to cheer for in a decade and is in NBA hell - I'd say I wouldn't be so quick to throw it away.

At the end of the day you're talking about James Dolan and he's just as incompetent as Jerry Reinsdorf. I hope you enjoyed these years with meaningful basketball, it sucks without them and I'd kill for the Thibs teams back in Chicago again.

So we keep running it back with the same coach where we know we won’t win a ring?
The goal is to win a ring man. Come on.

That was literally one of the worst playoff runs I've ever seen. We played terribly all postseason. It was a miracle we even got out of the first round. Thibs is garbage.

Brother, outside of Thibs the Knicks have ONE PLAYOFF SERIES VICTORY SINCE 2000. My Bulls have just as many.

You literally haven't seen a playoff run since 1999/2000, what the hell are you guys talking about? There's been NO PLAYOFF RUNS in either of our franchise's history since the **** 1990s. The Bulls fanbase were just as excited as you are and they deserve their decade of bull basketball.

[MrDollarBills]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=W09F6FrMDfp5_y1gKYgF1g

my guess is the Knicks want more collaboration with the FO/HC...more open to lineup changes, maybe development of young guys ect....While Thibs and Leon had a good off the court relationship my guess is there was probably some contention that it was Thibs way or the highway.

They probably want someone similar to what Baseball teams are doing that is an extension of the FO and analytical team to get the most out of the group.

If your bringing on Hurley your basically hiring him and letting him run the show with no interruptions.

I don't want the next coach to be akin to what Aaron Boone is on the Yankees, but I want someone who is open minded, listens to data and works in collaboration with the front office to develop a modern approach on and off the court for this club. I want someone that can develop talent while also maximizing the veteran talent at hand.

[WuTang_CMB]

Jay would be fun

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

[thebuzzardman]

And to top it off some of you want Mike Malone. The Kings were literally last in the league in assists per game under him, his "offensive system" is Nikola Jokic, he doesn't make a lot of adjustments especially to his rotation (which got him fired), he doesn't trust his players much, he has absolutely no history of developing young talent unless you somehow want to credit him for Jokic/Murray/MPJ who are all good off their own development while everyone else hasn't improved much, his offense without Jokic on the floor is horrible and uncreative, his teams are always bottom in the league in 3 point shooting, his biggest positive as a coach is he found a way to hide Jokic on defense. He's literally a poor man's Thibs. In every way.

Almost no one on here is interested in Mike Malone.

[Fat Kat]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=W09F6FrMDfp5_y1gKYgF1g

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought they had a plan but if they really have no idea who the next coach will be and are still searching then that’s not a good sign

This makes me feel less good about the situation, but maybe that's how it always is. I don't know.

I thought this FO operated with a solid plan and they already had someone lined up.

Maybe they do, and the above is eyewash for the media, in that they ALREADY conducted the search, but don't want to make it seem like they were investigating the next coach while Thibs was still coach.

Or, they started looking some, but in fact DON'T have a coach lined up, but fired Thibs with expediency to be able to have more choices. They have a list of candidates they would be happy with, say narrowed down to 5, and now they get to see if any of those are willing to coach the Knicks.

I would guess the last sentence I typed out is how it generally goes for teams.

Based on rumors, Udoka and Kidd are the under contract coaches who are probably the unlikely but home run picks to this FO, Jay Wright and Hurley MAYBE on the wish list, Johnny Bryant and a couple of other assistant coaches.

Spoelestra would be awesome, if we are talking about coaches on another team.

I do know that coaches don’t like the appearance of lobbying for a job while someone still has it. It’s a big no-no within the coaching fraternity. Let’s hope that that’s the case here.

[mpharris36]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=W09F6FrMDfp5_y1gKYgF1g

my guess is the Knicks want more collaboration with the FO/HC...more open to lineup changes, maybe development of young guys ect....While Thibs and Leon had a good off the court relationship my guess is there was probably some contention that it was Thibs way or the highway.

They probably want someone similar to what Baseball teams are doing that is an extension of the FO and analytical team to get the most out of the group.

If your bringing on Hurley your basically hiring him and letting him run the show with no interruptions.

I don't want the next coach to be akin to what Aaron Boone is on the Yankees, but I want someone who is open minded, listens to data and works in collaboration with the front office to develop a modern approach on and off the court for this club. I want someone that can develop talent while also maximizing the veteran talent at hand.

Look at Carlos Mendoza for the Mets. A young guy more open to data but still has a good feel of the players but is an extension of Stearns and the FO. I'm sure our built out analytical team was frustrated we played like Deuce with the starters less Hart for like 80 minutes all year...like zero sample size for a true 5-out lineup.

More experimenting in the regular season to see different lineup combinations and contributions from everyone.

[Jeff Van Gully]

i'm sure that's where this is going. can't imagine who from that group would be a holdover.

Dice seems like a nice chap, but that Rick fella? He gotta go!

Rick's a nepotism hire. one of his family members is high up in the organization.

yo. family getting broke tf up these couple seasons.

and as much as i love these guys, i don't think that part is "ruthless." do what you're supposed to. i was literally saying that in the old thread minutes before the news broke.

there are benefits to familiarity and all that. but there can also be drawbacks. and both aside, relationships shouldn't be a hindrance to improvement.

fascinating time.

i also concede that as much as it stung i have no idea what was said and done to contribute to the decision. we know the basketball part we get to see as fans. but not knowing what's going on behind the scenes cuts both ways. regardless of position.

i've got all the feels at once about this.

[Clyde_Style]

And to top it off some of you want Mike Malone. The Kings were literally last in the league in assists per game under him, his "offensive system" is Nikola Jokic, he doesn't make a lot of adjustments especially to his rotation (which got him fired), he doesn't trust his players much, he has absolutely no history of developing young talent unless you somehow want to credit him for Jokic/Murray/MPJ who are all good off their own development while everyone else hasn't improved much, his offense without Jokic on the floor is horrible and uncreative, his teams are always bottom in the league in 3 point shooting, his biggest positive as a coach is he found a way to hide Jokic on defense. He's literally a poor man's Thibs. In every way.

Almost no one on here is interested in Mike Malone.

Green Arrow is a more popular choice for head coach than Mike Malone in this forum

[god shammgod]

they don't want to piss jalen off too much. they probably don't fire his dad and the coach he loves. that might be pushing it.

[Clyde_Style]

Dice seems like a nice chap, but that Rick fella? He gotta go!

Rick's a nepotism hire. one of his family members is high up in the organization.

yo. family getting broke tf up these couple seasons.

and as much as i love these guys, i don't think that part is "ruthless." do what you're supposed to. i was literally saying that in the old thread minutes before the news broke.

there are benefits to familiarity and all that. but there can also be drawbacks. and both aside, relationships shouldn't be a hindrance to improvement.

fascinating time.

i also concede that as much as it stung i have no idea what was said and done to contribute to the decision. we know the basketball part we get to see as fans. but not knowing what's going on behind the scenes cuts both ways. regardless of position.

i've got all the feels at once about this.

Where did the narrative that Dolan did this come from?

I can't imagine the FO was not on board with this decision and it was a unilateral move by the owner who agreed last year to pay Thibs for several more years

[Jeff Van Gully]

my guess is the Knicks want more collaboration with the FO/HC...more open to lineup changes, maybe development of young guys ect....While Thibs and Leon had a good off the court relationship my guess is there was probably some contention that it was Thibs way or the highway.

They probably want someone similar to what Baseball teams are doing that is an extension of the FO and analytical team to get the most out of the group.

If your bringing on Hurley your basically hiring him and letting him run the show with no interruptions.

I don't want the next coach to be akin to what Aaron Boone is on the Yankees, but I want someone who is open minded, listens to data and works in collaboration with the front office to develop a modern approach on and off the court for this club. I want someone that can develop talent while also maximizing the veteran talent at hand.

Look at Carlos Mendoza for the Mets. A young guy more open to data but still has a good feel of the players but is an extension of Stearns and the FO. I'm sure our built out analytical team was frustrated we played like Deuce with the starters less Hart for like 80 minutes all year...like zero sample size for a true 5-out lineup.

More experimenting in the regular season to see different lineup combinations and contributions from everyone.

interesting. i like this conversation and line of thinking. i think there should be alignment from top down. i also honestly just believed there must be because of the relationships. but that's not necessarily true.

also sounds like there were (as is normal) differeing opinions in the FO. so i wonder how much is that. but assuming the FO is on the same page and the coach is rogue... yeah, that ain't gonna work. togetherness isn't just about the on-court operations, right?

[Adelheid]

Dice seems like a nice chap, but that Rick fella? He gotta go!

Rick's a nepotism hire. one of his family members is high up in the organization.

yo. family getting broke tf up these couple seasons.

and as much as i love these guys, i don't think that part is "ruthless." do what you're supposed to. i was literally saying that in the old thread minutes before the news broke.

there are benefits to familiarity and all that. but there can also be drawbacks. and both aside, relationships shouldn't be a hindrance to improvement.

fascinating time.

i also concede that as much as it stung i have no idea what was said and done to contribute to the decision. we know the basketball part we get to see as fans. but not knowing what's going on behind the scenes cuts both ways. regardless of position.

i've got all the feels at once about this.

well said, sir. Relationships are all good and ok but it should not be the main driver

[MrDollarBills]

my guess is the Knicks want more collaboration with the FO/HC...more open to lineup changes, maybe development of young guys ect....While Thibs and Leon had a good off the court relationship my guess is there was probably some contention that it was Thibs way or the highway.

They probably want someone similar to what Baseball teams are doing that is an extension of the FO and analytical team to get the most out of the group.

If your bringing on Hurley your basically hiring him and letting him run the show with no interruptions.

I don't want the next coach to be akin to what Aaron Boone is on the Yankees, but I want someone who is open minded, listens to data and works in collaboration with the front office to develop a modern approach on and off the court for this club. I want someone that can develop talent while also maximizing the veteran talent at hand.

Look at Carlos Mendoza for the Mets. A young guy more open to data but still has a good feel of the players but is an extension of Stearns and the FO. I'm sure our built out analytical team was frustrated we played like Deuce with the starters less Hart for like 80 minutes all year...like zero sample size for a true 5-out lineup.

More experimenting in the regular season to see different lineup combinations and contributions from everyone.

Right. Mendoza is awesome. Smart. Born in the last 45 years.

The analytics team was probably screaming about the starters playing 700 more mins than other teams starters across the league. I feel like they were ignored entirely.

I'm warming up to the idea of Bryant to be honest.

[Jeff Van Gully]

Rick's a nepotism hire. one of his family members is high up in the organization.

yo. family getting broke tf up these couple seasons.

and as much as i love these guys, i don't think that part is "ruthless." do what you're supposed to. i was literally saying that in the old thread minutes before the news broke.

there are benefits to familiarity and all that. but there can also be drawbacks. and both aside, relationships shouldn't be a hindrance to improvement.

fascinating time.

i also concede that as much as it stung i have no idea what was said and done to contribute to the decision. we know the basketball part we get to see as fans. but not knowing what's going on behind the scenes cuts both ways. regardless of position.

i've got all the feels at once about this.

Where did the narrative that Dolan did this come from?

I can't imagine the FO was not on board with this decision and it was a unilateral move by the owner who agreed last year to pay Thibs for several more years

i'm not sure. some folks been citing the hukporti locker room visit and recent sideline facial expressions.

the report on the firing i think did mention dolan as part of those urgent player meetings that preceded the firing. but i haven't had a chance to read much yet. work and forum been hot!

[El Poochio]

Read on Twitter

Until we prove otherwise Indiana gotta be favourites against us at this point

[Clyde_Style]

yo. family getting broke tf up these couple seasons.

and as much as i love these guys, i don't think that part is "ruthless." do what you're supposed to. i was literally saying that in the old thread minutes before the news broke.

there are benefits to familiarity and all that. but there can also be drawbacks. and both aside, relationships shouldn't be a hindrance to improvement.

fascinating time.

i also concede that as much as it stung i have no idea what was said and done to contribute to the decision. we know the basketball part we get to see as fans. but not knowing what's going on behind the scenes cuts both ways. regardless of position.

i've got all the feels at once about this.

Where did the narrative that Dolan did this come from?

I can't imagine the FO was not on board with this decision and it was a unilateral move by the owner who agreed last year to pay Thibs for several more years

the report on the firing i think did mention dolan as part of those urgent player meetings that preceded the firing. but i haven't had a chance to read much yet. work and forum been hot!

i'm not sure. some folks been citing the hukporti locker room visit and recent sideline facial expressions.

It would be a great twist on the story if Huk turns into Mitch # 2 and we have 48 minutes of court terror in the paint and then he and Dolan become best buddies, go golfing together any chance they can get and Huk gets invited on stage to sing a cameo with The Straight Shots.

[MrDollarBills]

I don't want the next coach to be akin to what Aaron Boone is on the Yankees, but I want someone who is open minded, listens to data and works in collaboration with the front office to develop a modern approach on and off the court for this club. I want someone that can develop talent while also maximizing the veteran talent at hand.

Look at Carlos Mendoza for the Mets. A young guy more open to data but still has a good feel of the players but is an extension of Stearns and the FO. I'm sure our built out analytical team was frustrated we played like Deuce with the starters less Hart for like 80 minutes all year...like zero sample size for a true 5-out lineup.

More experimenting in the regular season to see different lineup combinations and contributions from everyone.

interesting. i like this conversation and line of thinking. i think there should be alignment from top down. i also honestly just believed there must be because of the relationships. but that's not necessarily true.

also sounds like there were (as is normal) differeing opinions in the FO. so i wonder how much is that. but assuming the FO is on the same page and the coach is rogue... yeah, that ain't gonna work. togetherness isn't just about the on-court operations, right?

Agreed. FO and coaching staff have to be on the same page. Sit down, review the data, evaluate and make collective decisions for what's best for the team.

[Jeff Van Gully]

Jay would be fun

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

Udoka is available?

from a character perspective i have grave concerns. from a basketball perspective, i mess with him. he is kinda thibslamic. more nefarious/extremist version.

minutes police would hate him. he's an 8-9-man rotation if you're lucky type. will go 7 in the regular season without blinking for a chance at a W.

[Madskillzz024]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=W09F6FrMDfp5_y1gKYgF1g

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Makes sense though.
Out of respect for Thibs, they could wait a bit. I’m sure if it’s a CAA client, they have already had it in the works prior to letting Thibs go. You don’t fire a coach with back to back 50 win seasons and make a press announcement that your main goal is a to win a championship without a plan in place.


Assuming the Suns make their decision soon, it will be telling if they roll with Ott or Bryant.

[MrDollarBills]

Where did the narrative that Dolan did this come from?

I can't imagine the FO was not on board with this decision and it was a unilateral move by the owner who agreed last year to pay Thibs for several more years

the report on the firing i think did mention dolan as part of those urgent player meetings that preceded the firing. but i haven't had a chance to read much yet. work and forum been hot!

i'm not sure. some folks been citing the hukporti locker room visit and recent sideline facial expressions.

It would be a great twist on the story if Huk turns into Mitch # 2 and we have 48 minutes of court terror in the paint and then he and Dolan become best buddies, go golfing together any chance they can get and Huk gets invited on stage to sing a cameo with The Straight Shots.

I think 100% Hukporti is going to be a rotation player next season.