The Knicks-Tom Thibodeau relationship has been prolonged.
The coach and staff agreed so as to add three years to his contract, The Put up confirmed, offering Thibodeau a chance to construct on what’s already probably the most profitable tenure on the Knicks sideline in over twenty years.
The brand new contract will take Thibodeau by way of the 2027-’28 season after the 66-year-old had only one season remaining on the five-year pact he signed in 2020.
By agreeing to the extension in July, Thibodeau averted lame-duck standing and offered stability to a traditionally unstable place.
Thibodeau joins Isiah Thomas as simply the second head coach to obtain an extension beneath proprietor James Dolan, who has overseen 12 Knicks head coaches and interims within the final 20 years.
Sources stated Thibodeau desired a contract extension earlier than final season after he additionally led the Knicks to the Japanese Convention semifinals — dropping to the Warmth in six video games — however the sides by no means bought there.
His subsequent profitable marketing campaign — which included the franchise’s most playoff wins since 2000 — most likely boosted Thibodeau’s checking account.
Salaries for NBA head coaches exploded just lately and a number of other acquired huge offers, together with Detroit’s Monty Williams (who was fired after one season), Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Clippers’ Ty Lue, Golden State’s Steve Kerr and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich.
Thibodeau, who guided the Knicks to the playoffs in three of his 4 seasons (with a 2-3 collection report), was Dolan’s greatest teaching rent, by far. He’s already the fifth-winningest in franchise historical past with a 175-143 mark, beneath solely Pink Holzman (613 wins), Joe Lapchick (326), Jeff Van Gundy (248) and Pat Riley (223).
He received Coach of the Yr in 2021 and infused an id constructed round effort, rebounding, overachievement and outlined roles. The Knicks final season received 50 video games regardless of an avalanche of accidents, with a balanced statistical profile because the NBA’s ninth-rated protection and seventh-rated offense.
He was a giant motive NYC fell in love with the Knicks once more.
“You may’t cheat the work, you’ll be able to’t cheat the tradition, you’ll be able to’t shortcut it,” Kevin Garnett, who performed for Thibodeau in Boston, stated just lately. “I really like Thibs as a result of he’s constructed for what New York is. Thibs additionally is a superb coach in understanding the tradition and making these modifications….I feel that he’s the coach that you really want teaching this staff.”
Past the numbers, there are chemistry causes to proceed Thibodeau’s tenure.
He has achieved the backing and full buy-in from Jalen Brunson, the All-NBA choice who represents the franchise’s greatest level guard since Clyde Frazier. That connection was assisted by the presence of Brunson’s father, Rick, a longtime assistant and former participant beneath Thibodeau.
There’s additionally synergy with staff president Leon Rose, who constructed a roster with personalities and priorities that jibe with Thibodeau’s. After Thibodeau butted heads in earlier teaching stints with the Chicago entrance workplace and Minnesota possession, there have been issues about his teamwork with executives.
That hasn’t been an issue in New York.
Nonetheless, there are potential points that accompany a Thibodeau extension. He’s near 70 years outdated, solely youthful than Popovich within the head-coaching ranks. His regular-season success (527-389 profession report) isn’t matched within the playoffs (38-47). Regardless of his personal gamers adamantly refuting it, Thibodeau carries a popularity of overworking the beginning lineup. He’s the reigning back-to-back-to-back winner within the class of “Coach I’d Least Like To Play For” from The Athletic’s annual nameless participant ballot.
“It’s bulls–t,” Donte DiVincenzo stated concerning the narrative.
However there are legitimate questions concerning the long-term effectiveness of a demanding coach and whether or not he’s the fitting candidate to information a longtime famous person if the Knicks land one through commerce.
That received’t be answered but however there’s no query Thibodeau’s teaching has introduced the Knicks to a brand new and thrilling stage over 4 years. And now he has extra years on his deal to construct on that.
