Chandler wrote:That they don’t have a guy locked up worries me tremendously that Dolan drove this decision

Whatever you think of Thibs, it’s crazy to think you fire him without someone essentially agreed to, under our circumstances where you have the talent and want finals next year (ie not a rebuild)

Unless the exit interviews with the players were just a complete disaster. Seems like his stubborn nature got the best of him when it comes to the bench and the starting lineup. When approached by the FO mid playoffs, he rebuked them, and I'm sure he wasn't nice about it. Then out of desperation he finally heeds their advice when it's too late. Then the exit interviews .... sounds like it all just reached a boiling point between coach and FO and they were no longer simpatico.

I feel extremely confident this was not a Dolan override. I think Dolan would have preferred to pay him 30M to actually coach the team. He's completely stayed out of Leon's way with great results, doubt he decided to start butting in when we are on the precipice of a legit title team.

ToddTT wrote:This move reeks of Dolan.

Begley said if Dolan made this call against Leon's wishes then Leon would be out with Thibs because he would quit. Leon has full autonomy here IMO.

LivingLegend wrote:

Knicksfan wrote:

martin wrote:Ha

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/blames_/status/1929990568072929323

Exactly what I think

Windhorst (who I respect) this AM basically saying this is a vet laden team with a team solely focused on a championship run and it's a job for an established head coach not a job you throw an inexperienced guy into.

Mentioned Malone, Jenkins, Brown and then others mentioned Van Gundy (who did return to sidelines with Clippers this year)

This is the mainstream media take and it doesn't jive with what elite franchises actually do when they are in this situation. Shows how out of touch they are IMO.

martin wrote:Yeah, I don't care for the stuff that comes out of this account but they obviously know someone.

And I kinda look at it differently regarding the intel. Knicks seem to give early info to Ian, who communicates it very very carefully.

Leon is a closed loop and the beat guys have to respect him in that, the others really don't, for better or worse.

DLeethal wrote:This account said they had intel Thibs was gonna be fired and he got fired the next day. Apparently knows someone in the Dolan family. I thought he was talking nonsense but he nailed it.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/bigknickenergy_/status/1930228906872668300

The socials and podcasters are very close to getting more intel across the board than the beat writers who haven’t broke anything substantial in years.

Yes Ian usually has the info and speaks in tongues. For example when we had the last roster spot to fill for a veteran, and everyone was thinking TJ Warren, he kept saying in his reports to not count out a locker room presence like PJ Tucker, because they may benefit from someone who is a good communicator. Then right after the season he said that the decision on the Coach was not made yet, and that while he thought that Thibs would be back, the decision was not made yet, and that no one should assume.

I heard him on his own show the putback and he seemed to say Johnny was a candidate and sort of rejected everyone else mentioned, so I came away thinking Johnny was the guy. But now he is saying something a bit different here.

Honestly I don't know how you fire an established, successful top coach like this without 1 or 2 people firmly in mind as a potential upgrade. They may run a thorough process, but I believe they have someone in mind and the focus is on modern/innovative offensive principles.

martin wrote:

ToddTT wrote:

martin wrote:Ha Marc with the best shiv takes

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/nypost_berman/status/1930046810870947943

I’ve been ready to ****can Leon for nearly a year.

Randle grudge runs strong within you young Skywalker!

And one wonders did young Todd Skywalker watch Julius implode again in Minny playoffs?

Whoever it is, they will come with a lot of expectations. Have to win 50 plus and get back to the ECF at the very least!

And the more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion of Mike Malone. He just checks the most boxes. I know some think he's just another Thibs but so what? Thibs got us this far! We just need someone a little bit better who has proven he can win it all and Malone has done that. Plus he has NYK history and relationships.

If they go with a college coach or a rookie coach, I'll be very nervous.

LivingLegend wrote:

martin wrote:

ToddTT wrote:

martin wrote:Ha Marc with the best shiv takes

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/nypost_berman/status/1930046810870947943

I’ve been ready to ****can Leon for nearly a year.

Randle grudge runs strong within you young Skywalker!

And one wonders did young Todd Skywalker watch Julius implode again in Minny playoffs?

I give some credit to the 2025 NBA champs.

MaTT4281 wrote:

Chandler wrote:That they don’t have a guy locked up worries me tremendously that Dolan drove this decision

Whatever you think of Thibs, it’s crazy to think you fire him without someone essentially agreed to, under our circumstances where you have the talent and want finals next year (ie not a rebuild)

I'm worried that they fired Thibs at all, but not that they haven't announced a replacement less than 24 hours later. Would be dirty if they had already, like taking your girlfriend to a restaurant to break up with her and walking out with the waitress.

The talking heads out there suggesting Knicks have a short list of 2-3 guys with mutual interest, but will still go through the motions of a full search. The draft is 6/25. Expect it'll be announced before then.

I feel the opposite way. Not sure I agree with the decision, but I don't have all of the info. But I'd prefer that they'd have all of this ironed out before.

ToddTT wrote:This move reeks of Dolan.

Yeah hated him in GoT too, such a backstabber

LivingLegend wrote:

ToddTT wrote:

martin wrote:

ToddTT wrote:

martin wrote:Ha Marc with the best shiv takes

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/nypost_berman/status/1930046810870947943

I’ve been ready to ****can Leon for nearly a year.

Randle grudge runs strong within you young Skywalker!

Kemba/EF. Strike one.
iHart. Foul ball.
Mikal. Strike two.
Randle. Strike three.
Thibs. Strike four.

Four strikes, you're out!

Let see if karma bites Leon in his disloyal ass next year. He's got nowhere left to hide.

Randle in effect traded himself by telling Knick management he would not extend - which would have left them with payroll/cap uncertainty in building out the rest of the roster. A big factor in the Knicks moving him/Donte for Kat was that Kat's contract was established/set and he gave you the certainty of either him being on the roster or you trading him.

With Julius right now - he could choose to just leave us via free agency (at least I think he can opt out).

It seems like a lesson learned from iHart as well.