NBA Rumors: Tom Thibodeau emerging as a candidate for Knicks, Nets, Rockets
NBA Rumors: According to a report, the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets are interested in Tom Thibodeau as a coaching candidate.
Both the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks will be heading into the offseason with one big hole to fill in their respective locker rooms – both franchises will be looking for a long-term answer when it comes to their head coaching roles.
After the Nets and Knicks elected to move on from Kenny Atkinson and David Fizdale, respectively, they are hoping they can find the man that fits their desires as a team leader. Both teams currently have interim coaches, but the likelihood that both franchises elect to bring in an outside hire is likely. It’s generally the norm for teams in their situation.
One potential candidate, reportedly, for both teams appears to be Tom Thibodeau. Thibs is a name that resounds deeply in the basketball community and is no stranger to head coaching rumors. He last coached the Minnesota Timberwolves before the team elected to move on after the Jimmy Butler fiasco.
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However, it was only a matter of time until he was going to get another opportunity. And, that could be soon. The New York Post is reporting that the Nets, Knicks, and, interestingly, the Houston Rockets will have interest in Thibs this offseason.
The Rockets are an interesting team that is thrown into this report. Mike D’Antoni is still employed by the team this season but was widely believed that this would be his last shot with the Rockets. I’m not sure if that changes any with the current circumstances of the 2019-20 season, but it’s at least somewhat interesting to see that Houston would be interested in Thibs – especially this early in the “offseason.”
Thibs has found success in the NBA during his stints with the Chicago Bulls (in the Derrick Rose era) and then somewhat with the Wolves. Though, there are real questions about his coaching style that have been subject to criticism over the last few years. From “running players into the ground” to losing a “power struggle with Jimmy,” there are legit concerns.
Nevertheless, I’m not entirely sure if Thibs is the type of coach that would excel more with a team that is ready to compete (Rockets, Nets) or one that needs a foundation set and a leader in the locker room (Knicks).
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Either way, it’s looking more and more likely that Tom Thibodeau will be back in the NBA as a head coach next season. Question is, who will it be with? And will it be the right fit?