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The Knicks are not celebrating any more. In fact, they are now in full find a new head coach mode, following the surprising termination on head coach Tom Thibodeau. This season was clearly a high for the franchise, becoming a legitimate contender, despite losing to the Indiana Pacers. But, success does not equate to job security in the NBA lately.
This is the 3rd surprising firing of the season for a team that had success. At the end of the season, the Memphis Grizzlies fired their head coach with less than ten games to go and a playoff spot secured. The Denver Nuggets also made a change shortly after that reliefing a championship winning coach with a playoff spot secured. In the Nuggets case, they reached the 7th game of the second round.
The Knicks had their best season in a quarter of a century, making progress every year Thibodeau lead the team. Making the playoffs and advancing further each year. Overcoming concerns about player usage and playing style. The results were that the players were highly motivated to perform and New York fans saw that on the court.
There are some who seem to feel like the decision was already made at the end of the season and the finish to the season was a surprise in itself. But not enough to sway those at the highest level of power in the organization.
In all fairness, the market for head coaches with championship experiences is pretty strong right now. Especially with Mike Malone being available only two seasons from winning the title and positioning the Denver Nuggets to be a perennial contender.
Maybe the evaluation went beyond what the results were and factored in what could be if they made a change to a proven winner who already has a ring. Teams do that with players every year. It makes some sense to apply that same approach to coaching. Hoping the culture that fostered winning will improve and not regress.