Knicks Must Get Next Hire Right After Ditching Tom Thibodeau; Names To Consider

But would I have done it? Honestly, probably not. Thibs got the Knicks to play hard. He had a defensive identity. Oh, and he did lead them to the Eastern Conference finals.

That said, I also kind of get it. Sometimes teams just want a new voice. That phrase gets thrown around a lot, but there’s usually something to it. So while I was surprised, I wasn’t shocked.

Now comes the real question — who replaces him?

Word is the Knicks want a coach with more offensive flow. Someone who doesn’t rely so heavily on iso-ball and who might actually adjust his closing lineup once in a while. They want creativity. Think Rick Carlisle pulling the Indiana Pacers’ 15th man to counter a big. Think less stubborn, more adaptable. And yeah, someone who doesn’t scare off free agents by stapling them to the bench in November.

New Orleans Pelicans assistant James Borrego would be interesting. He’s got head-coaching experience and knows how to run a modern offense. Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori has been getting buzz. Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn is due for a shot. And don’t sleep on Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, who knows the Knicks inside and out.

Whoever it is, he’d better be ready. New York is a tough place to win — and an even tougher place to fail.