New York Knicks mentor Tom Thibodeau is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year winner. He should at least be in the running for third place this year if you ask Knicks star Josh Hart, who expressed his disappointment that Thibs was left out of the top three finalists for the award in the 2023-24 NBA season.
“50 wins, second seed with an injured roster for half the season and no coach of the year candidates,” Hart posted on X after learning that Thibodeau did not make the final cut.
While he isn’t a COTY finalist, there’s no denying that Thibodeau has been fantastic off the bench for the Knicks, who, as Hart mentioned, secured the No. 1 seed. 2 in the Eastern Conference with a record of 50-32. Not many expected this, especially with the Knicks missing key players for several games, including Julius Randle, who will be rested for the rest of the season.
There will always be disagreement over who should or should not be included on such lists, but in any case each of the three finalists for the coaching award seems deserving of this honor. They are Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic.