New York Knicks owner James Dolan said he expects his team to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 in a rare radio interview Monday. Dolan also ruled out making a major personnel move before the February trade deadline.
Dolan appeared on WFAN and delivered extensive comments on last summer’s firing of Tom Thibodeau, who led the Knicks to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000. The owner credited Thibodeau with reviving the franchise but defended the decision to make a coaching change.
“I’d say we want to get to the Finals and we should win the Finals,” Dolan said. “This is sports; anything can happen. Getting to the Finals, we absolutely have to do. Winning the Finals, we should do.”
Dolan said the Knicks discussed their organizational direction with Thibodeau throughout last season. Developing a bench and managing starter minutes became major concerns for Dolan and president Leon Rose.
“All last year, we were talking to Tom about where we wanted to go,” Dolan said. “He would tell you that he’s stubborn but he’d tell you that he’s right.”
New coach Mike Brown has addressed those concerns, and the Knicks entered Monday night’s game at Detroit in second place in the Eastern Conference. Dolan still endorsed Thibodeau as a head coach for another franchise after his success with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves.
“I won’t say you can’t win a title with Tom Thibodeau; I don’t know that’s true,” Dolan said. “But if you want to build a long-term, competitive, compete for the [title], you need someone who’s much more of a collaborator.”
Dolan dismissed speculation about trading for Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. When asked if the teams were close to a deal last summer after reportedly entering exclusive negotiations, Dolan said he was not aware of serious discussions.
“We love our team right now,” Dolan said. “They have chemistry; they all like each other. There’s a lot of energy in there. Leon can always overrule me, but I don’t foresee us [making a trade].”
The owner expressed confidence in the team’s depth with Josh Hart still recovering from injury and Landry Shamet returning soon.