There have been a lot of rumors about why the New York Knicks surprisingly fired Tom Thibodeau after last season. However, a team insider offered up new intel on the real driving force behind his ouster earlier this year and is sure to surprise fans.
Thibodeau was a great coach for the Chicago Bulls from 2010 to 2015. However, a case could be made that he was even better back home in New York with the Knicks. In his five seasons in Gotham, he posted an impressive 400-226 record. Went to the playoffs every year except one, and has the fourth most wins by a coach in franchise history.
Yet, despite taking another step forward and reaching the conference finals last year, he was fired. Following his dismissal, many assumed the bold decision was made by owner James Dolan or a combination of him and members of management. However, long-time MSG Network analyst and Knicks insider Alan Hahn claimed Dolan was not behind the move.
In a recent edition of the ESPN New York radio show he co-hosts, he claims a source informed him last week the roster grew tired of the coach's style and approach, and they were the driving force behind making a change.
While Hahn claims many players still have an affection for Thibodeau to this day, they acknowledged to team decision makers that the relationship between the roster and Thibodeau "had run its course." Players seemingly felt there was no longer a collaboration, and they simply wanted a new voice in the locker room.
There were rumblings late last season that Knicks players were not happy with how they were used and getting them more rest by using the bench. It is a critique the veteran coach got in Chicago as well, and was believed to be the reason his time there ended abruptly, too.
After a three-game losing skid, the Knicks' offense seems to be coming together under new head coach Mike Brown, and they head into the weekend with a 5-3 record.
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