After a historic season that saw the New York Knicks reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, the basketball world was stunned when the team announced that they would be parting ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau. This decision came as a shock to many, especially considering the team’s deep playoff run and the impressive performances of All-NBA talents Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Thibodeau, who had been at the helm for five seasons, had been instrumental in turning the Knicks into a formidable force in the Eastern Conference. Under his leadership, the team had made significant improvements and had become a legitimate playoff contender. However, despite these accomplishments, the front office felt that a change was necessary in order to take the team to the next level.
As the search for a new head coach begins, many names have been thrown into the mix as potential candidates for the Knicks’ coaching job. Here are five names that have been mentioned as possible replacements for Thibodeau.
1. Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson is a familiar name to Knicks fans, having played for the team for five seasons in the 1990s. He also has experience as a head coach, having led the Golden State Warriors to their first playoff appearance in 13 years in 2013. Jackson is known for his defensive mindset, which would fit well with the Knicks’ identity under Thibodeau. He also has a great relationship with Knicks star Julius Randle, who had a breakout season under Thibodeau’s tutelage.
2. Becky Hammon
Becky Hammon has been an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs since 2014 and has been praised for her basketball knowledge and leadership skills. She has also made history as the first female assistant coach in the NBA and has been considered a top candidate for a head coaching job in the league. Hammon’s experience and success under the guidance of Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich make her a strong candidate for the Knicks’ job.
3. Kenny Atkinson
Kenny Atkinson is no stranger to the Knicks, having served as an assistant coach with the team from 2008-2012. He went on to become the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, where he helped turn the team into a playoff contender. Atkinson is known for his player development skills and his ability to build a strong team culture, which would be beneficial for the young Knicks roster.
4. Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Billups is a former NBA player with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game. He has been an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers since 2020 and has been praised for his leadership and communication skills. Billups is also familiar with the Knicks organization, having played for the team in the 2011-2012 season. His experience and leadership could be valuable assets for the Knicks as they look to continue their upward trajectory.
5. David Vanterpool
David Vanterpool is currently an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves and has been credited for his work in developing All-NBA talent Karl-Anthony Towns. He also has experience as an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals in 2019. Vanterpool has been highly regarded for his player development skills and could be a great fit for the young Knicks roster.
Whoever the Knicks choose as their next head coach, they will have big shoes to fill after Thibodeau’s successful tenure. However, with a talented roster and a strong foundation in place, the future looks bright for the Knicks. The team’s deep playoff run this season has shown that they are capable of competing with the best in the league, and with the right coach at the helm, they could make even more noise in the years to come.
In the end, the decision to part ways with Tom Thibodeau may have been a surprising one, but it shows that the Knicks are committed to building a winning team and are willing to make bold moves in order to achieve their goals. With the right coach leading the way, the Knicks could soon be back on top of the basketball world.
