Despite Mike Miller holding down the fort as the interim coach of the New York Knicks, the organization is dutifully lining up the next clipboard holder for the upcoming season. Rumors that Tom Thibodeau can “taste” the New York job have already run amok, but he is now a 90 percent favorite to become the next man at the helm,
Via Jonathan Macri of Sports Illustrated:
On the coaching front, some around the Knicks also feel as if Tom Thibodeau is becoming a stronger and stronger possibility for the head coaching position currently occupied by interim coach Mike Miller. One person with knowledge of their thinking put the odds at 90 percent that Thibs will get the job, with Miller staying on in some capacity.
The impending introduction of former CAA agent Leon Rose as the Knicks' new president of basketball operations will bring forth a wave of changes, potentially including the general manager position — a job Scott Perry still holds — and the hiring of a new coach after the Knicks left Miller with the task following the firing of David Fizdale after a 4-18 start to the season.
Thibodeau has not coached since getting fired from the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team for which he occupied the role of head coach and president of basketball operations.
Rose's hiring means Thibodeau would have no front-office role this time around and could focus on coaching, yet there are many questions surrounding his coaching style — one known to favor veteran players — on a very young Knicks squad.
Miller could wind up staying as part of Thibodeau's staff, as he has brought the Knicks from 25th to 15th in defensive rating since he took the helm in December. His defensive chops could align with those of Thibodeau, who has been known as a defensive coach for his long career in the sidelines.
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