The New York Knicks stunned fans earlier this summer when they parted ways with longtime head coach Tom Thibodeau, hiring Mike Brown as his replacement. The change came after the franchise’s best season in 25 years, making the move both surprising and telling.
Locker Room Ready for a New Direction
According to Ian Begley of SNY, while Knicks players respected Thibodeau, there was no significant push from the roster to keep him. Even Josh Hart, one of Thibodeau’s closest players, did not insist on his return.
Begley explained on SiriusXM NBA Radio:
“These guys loved Tom Thibodeau, but none of them said, ‘Hey, Tom has to be the coach here’ or ‘I’m leaving.’ If that happened, maybe Tom Thibodeau is still here.”
A Five-Year Run That Changed the Culture
Thibodeau took over in 2020 and guided New York to the postseason in four of his five years at the helm. His arrival was crucial in reviving a team that had been among the league’s worst for nearly a decade. He established a winning cultureand brought defensive discipline back to Madison Square Garden.
Why It Was Time to Move On
Despite his accomplishments, Thibodeau’s rigidity and reluctance to adapt were seen as obstacles to a championship push. The Knicks fell short of the NBA Finals last season, and the front office decided it was time for a younger voice with fresh ideas who could connect with the roster on a deeper level. Enter Mike Brown, tasked with leading New York into a new era.
