The New York Knicks need a coach. Tom Thibodeau hasn't had an NBA coaching job since January of 2019 when the Minnesota Timberwolves fired the veteran head coach after just three seasons with the team.
However, with the dysfunction of the New York Knicks, Thibodeau's name has popped up as a possible favorite to land the job in the Big Apple. And while the 62-year-old does have a long track record of success in the NBA, his recent stint in Minnesota has raised questions as to whether or nor Thibodeau's coaching style is a fit for the modern NBA.
Despite the various critics, Thibodeau does have at least one current NBA coach on his side. Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford is tired of the negative perception surrounding Thibodeau.
“The misconception is how personable he is,’’ Clifford told Marc Berman of the New York Post . “Guys love him. It’s not going to be every single player, but his relationship with players is a strength.”
Both Clifford and Thibodeau have coached together previously as they both were a part of Jeff Van Gundy's staff with the Knicks and Houston Rockets. The duo coached together for seven of the eight seasons between 2000 and 2007.
“The biggest thing he helped me with was player development,’’ Clifford added. “If you go back to Larry Johnson, [Latrell Sprewell], Allan [Houston], Marcus [Camby], he had a close working relationship with all those guys. In Houston, it was Tracy [McGrady], Yao [Ming].’’'
As for the Knicks, the team has gone through five different coaches since the team fired Mike Woodson in 2014. Things weren't looking too great for the Knicks prior to the league being postponed in March either. Through 66 games, New York had amassed a 21-45 record which put them in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
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