Contrary to previous reports that Knicks president Leon Rose made the decision to shoot Tom ThibodeauSources tell Vince Goodwill of Yahoo Sports This owner James Dolan led the movement.
Dolan and Rose have both held outing meetings with the best players in the team and coach staff after the elimination of New York in the Eastern Conference final. Goodwill hears that Dolan treated interrogations during these meetings, while Rose was more supporting role. Sources also tell Goodwill that Dolan has never been a fervent supporter of Thibodeau during his five seasons with the team.
According to Goodwill sources, at least two players complained that Thibodeau gave his beginners too many minutes and was not willing to adjust this philosophy to changing circumstances. This was a frequent Critique of Thibodeau throughout his career, dating back to his days as a chicago coach in Chicago and Minnesota.
Another player would have told Dolan and Rose that he had not had the impression of being able to play another season under Thibodeau.
Thibodeau’s failure to develop a reliable bench was obvious in the playoffs, in particular against an Indiana team at the rapid rhythm which has now eliminated the Knicks two consecutive years. The insertion of Thibodeau de Mitchell Robinson in the initial training in match 2 of the conference final and its decision to give widely wide minutes Landry Shamet And Delon Wright Could be considered movements of despair.
Thibodeau had another three years and 30 million dollars on his contract, and Goodwill stresses that he was dismissed because Dolan wanted to make a change, not because he failed to reach the NBA final.
