Knicks’ Leon Rose On Tom Thibodeau Firing: Organization Is Singularly Focused On Championship

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” Rose said. “This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in a different direction.”

Rose is a former agent who also once represented Thibodeau. He became the Knicks’ head of basketball operations in 2020 and hired Thibodeau to coach the team. For whatever reason, Rose clearly believes the Knicks should have and can do better with someone new on the sideline.

New York is coming off a run to the Eastern Conference finals, where they succumbed to the Indiana Pacers in six games. For the record, it was the Knicks’ first appearance in the conference finals in 25 years.

They made the playoffs in four of Thibodeau’s five seasons. He also guided them to consecutive 50-plus win seasons for the first time since the 1990s.

“The Knicks are singularly focused on their pursuit of a championship and believe a new voice will serve as the focus for the organization’s next step, sources said,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote. “After five seasons with the Knicks, Tom Thibodeau is out as head coach.”

Thibodeau, 67, has served as head coach of the Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves, compiling a 578-420 record in regular-season games. His teams are 48-55 in the playoffs.

“We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach,” Rose said in the statement. “He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories.

“Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward. Tom will always be a part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

While most NBA coaching vacancies have already been filled, Thibodeau undoubtedly will be in high demand once the next cycle of firings takes place.