The head coach of the New York Knicks has always been a job for Tom Thibodeau to lose – the guy who ran the show now at Madison Square Garden was Thibodeau’s agent.
Jason Kidd may have been the closest to getting the job done with an impressive interview, but Thibodeau is still likely to land on the hob, writes Marc Berman in the New York Post.
While sources say Jason Kidd thrilled Knicks with “a great interview”, it may not be enough to overthrow Thibodeau, whose relations with Knicks president Leon Rose and senior vice president William Wesley should prove insurmountable. They took Thibodeau back to the Creative Artists Agency …
ESPN’s Jalen Rose told The Post over the weekend that Kidd, now the Lakers’ assistant, is a better choice because of his potential in attracting both stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
It is especially the latter who will keep Kidd in the mix. It is unlikely that Antetokounmpo would both choose to leave Milwaukee and come to New York, but Kidd’s strong relationship with the Greek Freak would have at least brought Knick to his knees if the MVP in charge had decided to look around. In addition, the players respect Kidd, a Hall of Fame guardian.
Thibodeau has been the Knicks boy since the beginning. If he’s the right person, that’s the big question. New York has a couple of players who may be part of a long-term rebuild -RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson – but he also feels he is well positioned to exchange a star if one becomes available. A slow reconstruction built around young talents is not in the style of New York, more likely they will accumulate good young players, they will develop them, but when the opportunity to land a star arrives they trade them (think Anthony Davis of the Lakers style agreement ). The new manager must build a player development program in New York for the scenario to work. Is that Thibodeau?
The sense around the league is that it will have a chance. If it fails, look for Kidd to get another hit.
Jason Kidd is reportedly amazed in an interview, but Tom Thibodeau is still the main target of Knicks.