The New York Knicks' decision to make Tom Thibodeau their next head coach is receiving mostly praise, though former NBA veteran David West isn't a fan of the hire.
West unleashed a series of tweets on Saturday in the wake of the news, and he didn't hold back his feelings on Thibodeau getting another opportunity to run an NBA team from the sideline.
“Man how many times can u fail up as a black head coach….” he questioned, citing the decision to hire a twice-fired white head coach over a black candidate. The Knicks new front office, led by president Leon Rose, interviewed a slew of candidates during the extensive coaching search, including multiple people of color. “How many opportunities has Mark Jackson gotten”? West tweeted. Jackson was considered for the job.
West brought up Knicks legend and current Georgetown head coach Patrick Ewing, who is still awaiting his first NBA head coaching gig, and L.A. Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue's lack of head coaching offers after winning the title with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
He also repeatedly called out Thibodeau's player development track record, which is mixed.
“Literally destroys guys yet gets chance after chance….” he wrote. “I feel for the young players who's development will stagnate but they will be blamed for not working hard….”
He disagreed with Kendrick Perkins' complimentary words about the new Knicks coach's culture.
Young players run for the hills… https://t.co/w1uPWSRBgP
— David West (@D_West30) July 25, 2020
West, it should be noted, never played for Thibodeau, unlike Perkins. Ironically, West was a hard-nosed, old-school, Thibodeau-type of a bruiser.
West made two All-Star games and averaged 13.6 points and 6.4 rebounds over 15 seasons. He won two championships with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
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