Last week, when the New York Knicks fired five-year head coach Tom Thibodeau, it sparked controversy across the basketball world. Many people felt that Thibs got a raw deal, considering everything he’s done to help New York regain relevance. He had just gotten his Knicks farther than they’d been in a quarter-century, so it seemed odd to some that he’d be fired right now. To others, his firing came multiple years too late. Those folks cite his stubbornness, lack of adjustments, and questionable tactics regarding playing time. I happen to fall somewhere in the middle: he earned his five years in New York, but it was time to pull the plug.
With that said, Thibs undoubtedly leaves a positive legacy behind as one of the better coaches in Knicks history. It’s a good time to take a look at what he accomplished during the half-decade he served as head coach of the Knicks. Let’s dive into how he will be remembered by the fanbase.
Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks’ Legacy
He Pulled the Franchise Out of the Gutter
In 2020, if you asked any NBA fan under the age of 30 about the Knicks, they’d associate the franchise with losing. It had grown almost comical how bad the team had been for the better part of 20 years. In 19 seasons from 2001-02 to 2019-20, New York made the postseason just four times. In those four appearances, they mustered just one playoff series victory. The woebegone organization amassed a record of 595-931 (.390), which ranked dead last in the league in that span. Quite simply, the Knicks were the worst team in the NBA in the entirety of the 2000s. Even the most loyal fan base in basketball was being tested, as they continued to sell out Madison Square Garden on a nightly basis, only to see their team lose repeatedly.
Fortunately for Knicks fans, everything was about to change. On July 30th, 2020, they hired Tom Thibodeau to be their next head coach. Thibodeau had coached in Chicago and Minnesota and had tremendous regular-season success. Although he’d struggled in the postseason at times, he had a reputation as a culture builder. As it turned out, Knicks fans had no idea just how true that reputation was.
Thibodeau Changed the Culture
Upon arriving, Thibodeau instantly instilled his values of toughness, effort, consistency, and resilience to his team. In his very first season, New York surprised everyone by notching a 41-31 record and earning the East’s fourth seed. Although they weren’t the most talented (projected before the season to contend for the number one pick), Thibs’ influence made them the toughest team in basketball. The fourth-ranked defense, along with Julius Randle‘s ascension, kicked off the Thibodeau era with a bang.
Over the next four years, the Knicks would enjoy more sustained success than they had in three decades. Three more playoff appearances, four playoff series victories, and their first East Final in 25 years. Throughout this run, New York was one of the grittiest squads in the league, perfectly embodying the blue-collar city they represented. Thibodeau, alongside Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Leon Rose, established a winning culture that had been lacking at the Mecca.
Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks Record
He Leaves the Franchise in a Better Place
In five seasons leading the Knicks, Thibodeau compiled a 226-174 record (.565). He has the sixth-highest winning percentage in Knicks coaching history and is fourth in wins. He won four playoff series and had a postseason record of 24-23. Thibs helped his Knicks overcome monster odds to take down the defending champion Celtics in 2025. Despite his flaws, Thibodeau has been a godsend for a franchise that had been in the darkness for two decades. As New York looks towards the future, they are an undisputed championship contender with one of the best cultures in the league. At the end of the day, the 67-year-old was a phenomenal coach who left the organization in a far better place than he found it. For that, Knicks fans should always be grateful.
Featured image: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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