CLASSIC KNICKS

BY Mike Rifkin

The NBA world was shocked earlier this week when the Knicks fired coach Tom Thibodeau after the Knick lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Pacers. Thibodeau led the Knicks to the playoffs in four of his five seasons as coach, and had a record of 226-174. 

There are going to be rumors and reasons why Thibodeau was fired, but let’s be honest for a minute Tom Thibodeau was the best coach the Knicks have hired since Jeff Van Gundy. He put out a team that played with heart and effort and took the Knicks places they haven’t been in 25 years. Before Thibs got to New York the Knicks were a laughingstock of an organization, he changed the culture. The Knicks were two wins away from achieving something they haven’t in 30 years, go to the NBA Finals. 

Now, while fans will proclaim this to be a classic Knicks move, there is one way in my mind they can change the narrative and it is NOT who they make the next coach. The Knicks this summer have to add one piece this summer. That piece is GIANNIS ANTETOKUNMPO, the man is a walking double-double and would be the biggest game changer for the Knicks since Carmelo Anthony. To acquire a player such as Giannis, you give up whatever and outside of Jalen Brunson, there is no untouchable on this roster. 

Here’s the deal if you’re going to fire Thibs and not give a solid reason why, then there’s no reason to not try and alter the roster. But, if we went back in time to the roster of last season (no KAT), would they have performed better this season, we don’t know? If the Knicks want to change the narrative about this summer they have to get Giannis, otherwise whoever the next coach is has a lot of pressure on them.