New York Knicks Team News and Rumors: Former Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau Interested in Head Coaching Job
The New York Knicks knew they were struggling and there was no way out of it; the front office realized there was a need for change and it came in the form of firing second year head coach Derek Fisher. And when the news broke about Fisher's exit, the issue turned to who should be replacing him. Assistant coach Kurt Rambis was promoted on an interim basis, but by looking at history, we all know that title means he's going to be replaced sooner than later.
There are a lot of names floating, including team president Phil Jackson, former Denver head coach Brian Shaw, and Golden State top assistant Luke Walton. But one name is apparently leading the race right now and what's more interesting is that he's been hoping of getting this head coaching job for a long time now.
For more than 10 years since he left the Knicks to join Jeff Van Gundy in Houston, Tom Thibodeau is keen on making a comeback. But this time, he wants the real job — the head coaching job for the Knicks, the same team he was employed from 1996 to 2004 as an assistant.
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With all due respect to other candidates out there, Thibodeau comes in with the best credentials of them all. He currently holds a head coaching career record of 255-139, all with the Chicago Bulls — a team he led to playoff prominence for several consecutive years. He also won an NBA title as an assistant coach and won one Coach of the Year award. He's familiar with the atmosphere in New York, but most importantly, he wants the job.
Thibodeau is known for being a top defensive coach, and his departure from Chicago wasn't really a case of a team tired of losing since it was more of a much-needed change the Bulls wanted. In New York, he'll be a very interesting addition to a team that sorely lacks defense. It's quite exciting really to think about him working with Jackson in developing Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and the rest of the young Knicks into a defense-oriented team. But what's really more interesting is how the triangle will play out. Should the Knicks even consider hiring him, should they stick with the system Jackson loves the most?
