Knicks · Tom Thibodeau 90 percent likely to be new coach of knicks. per cnnsi.com Jonathan Macri (page 1)

Sources: Leon Rose introduction soon as this week; Thibodeau "90%" likely to be new coach

Jonathan Macri

3 hours ago

It's been no secret that at some point before the end of the season, Leon Rose is going to become the next man tasked with guiding the Knicks to the long-awaited promised land.

"At some point" may be just a few days away.

Multiple sources tell SI.com that Rose's position as President of Basketball Operations for the Knicks will be made official either this week or next week, with a press conference likely coming soon thereafter.

Sources also confirmed that Rose was delayed in officially taking the job by his involvement in the Dwayne Wade "L3GACY" celebration this weekend in Miami, as first reported last week by Marc Berman of the New York Post. Rose, of course, is widely credited with helping bring together the "Big Three" of Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh a decade ago.

Berman noted that Rose's appointment should be official by the time the Knicks play in Miami on March 13 — which is just under three weeks from now.

But sources confirmed to SI.com that with Wade's celebration now done, there's nothing else holding up the hire, and it should become official this week.

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.

Miller, of course, has done nothing but an admirable job since taking over for David Fizdale. The Knicks are 15th in defensive rating since he became coach, whereas they ranked 25th at the time Fizdale was ousted.

It's unclear at this point how amenable Miller would be to staying on in a reduced role, but perhaps the title of associate head coach would help sway him. Pat Sullivan, who has been something of a defensive coordinator under Miller, is also a safe bet to be retained.

Of course, all of these decisions will be more thoroughly vetted once Leon Rose officially takes over and begins assessing matters from within. One thing to watch for when he does: Miller has been steadfast that all lineup and rotation decisions are made with input from Scott Perry. Just how much that continues or in what way those decisions are altered with Rose at the helm remains to be seen.

https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/news/leon-rose-knicks-president-next-week

I'd rather Van Gundy than Thibs, but I'm not as oppose to Thibs as some Knick fans.

If true, I think we'll end up drafting Cole (Rose style scoring PG seems to be a fit in Thibs system)

JVG, Miller or thibs. I am good with that

There is no reason for a coaching change honestly. This isn't a Bucks situation where you needed the upgrade from Kidd to Bud. Miller is doing a good enough job with what he has had to work with. Which earns the ability maintain continuity, while Rose hopefully builds up a contender. From there we can see if Miller is the goods or not. If it was for a coach like Bud then sure. But Thibs isn't guranteed to move the needle all that much and could easily flame out while being the 4th coach in 4 yrs.

newyorknewyork wrote:There is no reason for a coaching change honestly. This isn't a Bucks situation where you needed the upgrade from Kidd to Bud. Miller is doing a good enough job with what he has had to work with. Which earns the ability maintain continuity, while Rose hopefully builds up a contender. From there we can see if Miller is the goods or not. If it was for a coach like Bud then sure. But Thibs isn't guranteed to move the needle all that much and could easily flame out while being the 4th coach in 4 yrs.

You want miller base on a small sample size?

I think miller would still have a chance to be on the coaching staff, but you already know a new president is bringing in their own head coach. In most cases in order for a Interim coach to retain the position he has to over achieve..

Thibs or Miller is fine, but I really don't get the JVG love. Going on 15 years out of NBA head coaching with a few years coaching FIBA. No thanks.

It seems like he likes being the "voice of the NBA". Maybe they name a video game after him soon...

To me, the notion that Rose is walking in and going to hire Thibodeau reflects this mindset that we've seen from this organization too often - the notion that there is one move that can be an instafix. It will be Thibs and Chris Paul riding to the rescue.

We need continuity. We need to build. Building up this franchise is going to take time. Patience, please.

This is fucking bullshit. He's shit. We've got a good thing going here and they want to screw it up.

TPercy wrote:This is fucking bullshit. He's shit. We've got a good thing going here and they want to screw it up.

I don't feel quite as passionately about this as you, but I am sitting in the same boat as you

I would keep Miller. Why do a retread? Miller is doing a solid job with limited talent. Rose should focus on adding talent, not changing coaches. Besides, if the team does not improve next year, Miller can serve as the easy escape goat. It makes too much sense to keep Miller as coach, which is why the Knicks won’t do it.

SupremeCommander wrote:

TPercy wrote:This is fucking bullshit. He's shit. We've got a good thing going here and they want to screw it up.

I don't feel quite as passionately about this as you, but I am sitting in the same boat as you

For the first time I just feel excited in the direction we are headed and this damn organization is always looking for ways to screw it up. What is this guy going to offer that Miller + continuity wont? I guarentee he'll be out on his ass in two years all for what?

knicks1248 wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:There is no reason for a coaching change honestly. This isn't a Bucks situation where you needed the upgrade from Kidd to Bud. Miller is doing a good enough job with what he has had to work with. Which earns the ability maintain continuity, while Rose hopefully builds up a contender. From there we can see if Miller is the goods or not. If it was for a coach like Bud then sure. But Thibs isn't guranteed to move the needle all that much and could easily flame out while being the 4th coach in 4 yrs.

You want miller base on a small sample size?

I think miller would still have a chance to be on the coaching staff, but you already know a new president is bringing in their own head coach. In most cases in order for a Interim coach to retain the position he has to over achieve..

Again if the option was to upgrade to a guy like Bud then sure. But if Thibs is the best option than we should expand Miller's sample size. While also hopefully upgrading the talent level and balancing the structure of the roster. Miller comes in to interm does a solid job, gets one of his better players traded away for future assets. Then new Prez comes in and replaces him with another coach.

Combination of coaching options, Miller not getting a fair shake, and roster, has me wanting him to get another yr as HC.

I do like the Jay Wright option though.

TheGame wrote:I would keep Miller. Why do a retread? Miller is doing a solid job with limited talent. Rose should focus on adding talent, not changing coaches. Besides, if the team does not improve next year, Miller can serve as the easy escape goat. It makes too much sense to keep Miller as coach, which is why the Knicks won’t do it.

Exactly, This isn't a ready made team and its not like Miller is going to hinder progress. Maybe he isn't Pop, but he seems sound enough to at worst hold fort while Rose focuses on adding talent and balancing the roster. Then if he doesn't perform to the level nessesary when the team should be better. Thats when they can net a new coach. And if the talent level is of quality. Rose will be able to net a high end coach like Bucks were able to do with Bud.

Thibs is desperate for a coaching gig again.

Miller is a rookie....Thibs is a vet.....Inever liked JVG when he was coaching the knicks. Offense was boring. Thibs at least has coached recently and has adjusted to today's basketball. Plus his roots on defense doesnt go away. Hes one of the best defensive minded coaches out there, next to JVG.

Right now, it doesnt matter what moves we make, until we develop an identity. Thibs will help lead that cultural change, and attract other two way defensive minded players like Morris.

In Leon the Professional we trust.......

Leon is more qualified than Nalod. Not saying much but the notion that he'd hire someone that would be seen as a "retread" or one that would repel free agents would be self defeating.
All the "Same old knicks" goes out the window. Its a new opportunity to reboot the franchise. I hope Miller gets a nice raise to stay and Thibs sees him as a worthy assistant.
Maybe Thibs is taking his meds, has a girlfriend and some balance of life. If he is going to sleep in his office and hound players in the off season he'll be the same guy he always has been.
Athletes have a certain window to physically mature, grow and perform. Coaches and execs are able to learn and become better over decades.
I don't know if Leon is the man. Most fans can't fathom that a guy can change. We expect Thibs to be the same? We plug and play and that's it? Thibs can only succeed with similar type players?
Lets look at MDA for a minute, he came of age with Suns where he took an allstar Nash and created a twice MVP. He failed in NY and LA but takes Harden and he blossoms under him. Nash and Harden are not the same.
Pop? He had Duncan as his back stop for years but he blended in many players and evolved with them.
Give these guys a chance.
If IM wrong, then Thibs might be just fine for a few years until the franchise tires if him. If so, he likely will have elevated it.

newyorknewyork wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:There is no reason for a coaching change honestly. This isn't a Bucks situation where you needed the upgrade from Kidd to Bud. Miller is doing a good enough job with what he has had to work with. Which earns the ability maintain continuity, while Rose hopefully builds up a contender. From there we can see if Miller is the goods or not. If it was for a coach like Bud then sure. But Thibs isn't guranteed to move the needle all that much and could easily flame out while being the 4th coach in 4 yrs.

You want miller base on a small sample size?

I think miller would still have a chance to be on the coaching staff, but you already know a new president is bringing in their own head coach. In most cases in order for a Interim coach to retain the position he has to over achieve..

Again if the option was to upgrade to a guy like Bud then sure. But if Thibs is the best option than we should expand Miller's sample size. While also hopefully upgrading the talent level and balancing the structure of the roster. Miller comes in to interm does a solid job, gets one of his better players traded away for future assets. Then new Prez comes in and replaces him with another coach.

Combination of coaching options, Miller not getting a fair shake, and roster, has me wanting him to get another yr as HC.

I do like the Jay Wright option though.

Consider the fact that we haven't hired a single head coach with a successful NBA track record since MDA, and we have only had success with experience head coaches

Notice when Woodson took over after MDA stepped down, he was able to do a much better job and got the team to the playoffs...IMO that's close to what it will take to for miller to stay on board as top dog.

He can't finish the season 10 to 15 games under 500

blkexec wrote:Miller is a rookie....Thibs is a vet.....Inever liked JVG when he was coaching the knicks. Offense was boring. Thibs at least has coached recently and has adjusted to today's basketball. Plus his roots on defense doesnt go away. Hes one of the best defensive minded coaches out there, next to JVG.

Right now, it doesnt matter what moves we make, until we develop an identity. Thibs will help lead that cultural change, and attract other two way defensive minded players like Morris.

Agree with this. Understand the love for Miller but also feel Knick fans are enamored with underdog blue color guys. Not a bad thing but unrealistic. IMO, just getting a decent guy to coach the team, Miller, leaves out the most important factor needed for the Knicks right now. Lets face it, NO ONE wants to come here. Except to get overpaid. Thibs has a much better rep, league wide, then Miller. He changes the perspective for many fee agents. Rose knows that. He knows that we need to be able to attract the elite players in the league. Dolan also knows that. Reason why he hired Rose. NO way Miller sticks. Like the guy but he is a better fit for teams looking to slowly develop young players. And feel Dolan is tired of doing that and now looking to get some big names and win. Always liked Thibs so either way, happy to hear he may be the next coach.

knicks1248 wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:There is no reason for a coaching change honestly. This isn't a Bucks situation where you needed the upgrade from Kidd to Bud. Miller is doing a good enough job with what he has had to work with. Which earns the ability maintain continuity, while Rose hopefully builds up a contender. From there we can see if Miller is the goods or not. If it was for a coach like Bud then sure. But Thibs isn't guranteed to move the needle all that much and could easily flame out while being the 4th coach in 4 yrs.

You want miller base on a small sample size?

I think miller would still have a chance to be on the coaching staff, but you already know a new president is bringing in their own head coach. In most cases in order for a Interim coach to retain the position he has to over achieve..

Again if the option was to upgrade to a guy like Bud then sure. But if Thibs is the best option than we should expand Miller's sample size. While also hopefully upgrading the talent level and balancing the structure of the roster. Miller comes in to interm does a solid job, gets one of his better players traded away for future assets. Then new Prez comes in and replaces him with another coach.

Combination of coaching options, Miller not getting a fair shake, and roster, has me wanting him to get another yr as HC.

I do like the Jay Wright option though.

Consider the fact that we haven't hired a single head coach with a successful NBA track record since MDA, and we have only had success with experience head coaches

Notice when Woodson took over after MDA stepped down, he was able to do a much better job and got the team to the playoffs...IMO that's close to what it will take to for miller to stay on board as top dog.

He can't finish the season 10 to 15 games under 500

Woodson had a prime Melo who shot 60%+ from the field for the last month of the season to make the playoffs. We don't have such a player on this rosters.

Thibs had Towns, Wiggins, Butler, Teague and lost in the first rd as an 8th seed. Before that had Towns, Wiggins, Lavine, Rubio and netted 31 wins. We don't have anything close to even that level of talent.

Thibs is also 62 yrs old. Knicks aren't close to competing for anything relevant unless we get lucky this offseason. Why not wait for a better option?

HofstraBBall wrote:

blkexec wrote:Miller is a rookie....Thibs is a vet.....Inever liked JVG when he was coaching the knicks. Offense was boring. Thibs at least has coached recently and has adjusted to today's basketball. Plus his roots on defense doesnt go away. Hes one of the best defensive minded coaches out there, next to JVG.

Right now, it doesnt matter what moves we make, until we develop an identity. Thibs will help lead that cultural change, and attract other two way defensive minded players like Morris.

Agree with this. Understand the love for Miller but also feel Knick fans are enamored with underdog blue color guys. Not a bad thing but unrealistic. IMO, just getting a decent guy to coach the team, Miller, leaves out the most important factor needed for the Knicks right now. Lets face it, NO ONE wants to come here. Except to get overpaid. Thibs has a much better rep, league wide, then Miller. He changes the perspective for many fee agents. Rose knows that. He knows that we need to be able to attract the elite players in the league. Dolan also knows that. Reason why he hired Rose. NO way Miller sticks. Like the guy but he is a better fit for teams looking to slowly develop young players. And feel Dolan is tired of doing that and now looking to get some big names and win. Always liked Thibs so either way, happy to hear he may be the next coach.

Wanting Miller to stay isnt about sentiment. He's doing a good job with a lottery team. The players seem to respect and play hard for him. Is good with Xs and Os, big on details. Miller worked his way up the organization.

Not so sure Thibs has a great rep outside of Ex-Bulls who he famously ran into the ground, with multiple players ending up in the hospital. KAT might be a Diva, but he is part of the younger NBA generation that Thibs apparently had trouble connecting with. Thibs is an old school coach, not confident he can connect with players who arent willing to be ridden as hard as his vets were in Chicago.

As a Knicks fan, if Thibs was introduced, there would be some questions Id like to see answered

What lessons have you learned from your last coaching gig? Do you believe in load mgmt for vets? Will anything be different from your last stop?

I dont see this move attracting elite players. They will see another coach on the Knicks coaching carousel.

Agree that we should not be in a rush to hire a new coach as Miller has done well with this roster and circumstances (taking over midseason with no input). I do hope we give him a full year (w/training camp) to see if he can continue his positive efforts... we did this for Fizdale so why not? Hope Miller gets to stay on as an assistant if Thibs is hired as I suspect he's be back as the head coach in 1-2 years... Thibs always seems to wear on non-veteran rosters quickly.

newyorknewyork wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:There is no reason for a coaching change honestly. This isn't a Bucks situation where you needed the upgrade from Kidd to Bud. Miller is doing a good enough job with what he has had to work with. Which earns the ability maintain continuity, while Rose hopefully builds up a contender. From there we can see if Miller is the goods or not. If it was for a coach like Bud then sure. But Thibs isn't guranteed to move the needle all that much and could easily flame out while being the 4th coach in 4 yrs.

You want miller base on a small sample size?

I think miller would still have a chance to be on the coaching staff, but you already know a new president is bringing in their own head coach. In most cases in order for a Interim coach to retain the position he has to over achieve..

Again if the option was to upgrade to a guy like Bud then sure. But if Thibs is the best option than we should expand Miller's sample size. While also hopefully upgrading the talent level and balancing the structure of the roster. Miller comes in to interm does a solid job, gets one of his better players traded away for future assets. Then new Prez comes in and replaces him with another coach.

Combination of coaching options, Miller not getting a fair shake, and roster, has me wanting him to get another yr as HC.

I do like the Jay Wright option though.

Consider the fact that we haven't hired a single head coach with a successful NBA track record since MDA, and we have only had success with experience head coaches

Notice when Woodson took over after MDA stepped down, he was able to do a much better job and got the team to the playoffs...IMO that's close to what it will take to for miller to stay on board as top dog.

He can't finish the season 10 to 15 games under 500

Woodson had a prime Melo who shot 60%+ from the field for the last month of the season to make the playoffs. We don't have such a player on this rosters.

Thibs had Towns, Wiggins, Butler, Teague and lost in the first rd as an 8th seed. Before that had Towns, Wiggins, Lavine, Rubio and netted 31 wins. We don't have anything close to even that level of talent.

Thibs is also 62 yrs old. Knicks aren't close to competing for anything relevant unless we get lucky this offseason. Why not wait for a better option?

You have a point, but I don't think Rose will continue with the youth movement seeing the epic failure of that rout over the last 5 seasons. With his relationship with dozens of presidents, GM's, coaches and players around the league and lot of solid assets to work with, its a safe bet that he's trading more than half the roster.

He may end up giving Thibs the GM and coach role