Expectations in the NBA can shift dramatically. When Tom Thibodeau took the reins of the New York Knicks in 2020, the team had been struggling for two decades. At that point, any semblance of competence was all the fans could hope for from a coach. Thibodeau, having secured a notable achievement of winning Coach of the Year without a top-three seed, brought a revitalized sense of purpose to the franchise.
Just weeks ago, his coaching led the Knicks to a historic playoff series against the Boston Celtics, where the team overcame multiple 20-point deficits in back-to-back games. A significant achievement for a Knicks roster built to compete with the Celtics, this victory seemed to signal a successful playoff run. However, expectations quickly altered after that high point. Following their elimination by the Indiana Pacers with a 125-108 defeat, the Knicks’ aspirations of reaching the Finals hung in the balance, resulting in a tumultuous offseason ahead.
The Pacers will move on to the Finals, while the Knicks face a challenging summer filled with decisions about their roster and coaching staff. With significant assets traded for players like Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, the team has the components of a successful core, yet Thibodeau struggled to effectively leverage their strengths throughout the season.
The Knicks’ over-reliance on their starters became a glaring issue. The five-man unit of Bridges, Towns, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby had the highest minutes in the regular season, but cracks began to show as the playoffs progressed. In the crucial moments of the conference finals, Thibodeau’s failure to adapt and explore different combinations limited the team’s effectiveness.
One of the focal points this offseason will involve addressing the Knicks’ offensive identity. While they ranked highly in offensive rebounds, their offensive strategy felt uninspired and lacked depth. With Brunson’s brilliance masking deficiencies, the overall team dynamic had the potential to flourish, but only if Thibodeau found ways to diversify their approach.
Looking forward, the Knicks are in a unique position; they can retain their core and potentially take another shot at the championship. Many are questioning whether Thibodeau is the right coach to guide them further, considering the modern NBA’s trends of impatience with coaching changes. Notably, teams have recently favored making swift coaching decisions over investing long-term in head coaches, even those who have had success in the past.
If a coaching change does occur, the Knicks may need to consider candidates outside of the traditional mold. Young head coaches like Joe Mazzulla or innovative options may offer fresh perspectives that align better with the team’s evolution. Alternatively, an experienced player with coaching aspirations could also present a novel approach.
Although losing in the Eastern Conference Finals is a bitter pill to swallow, the path ahead remains promising. As the Knicks gauge their options and navigate their offseason challenges, the lessons learned this season could serve as building blocks for a brighter future. The resilience shown this year demonstrates that the Knicks possess the talent to compete at a high level, and with the right adjustments, they could emerge as real contenders in the years to come.