Tom Thibodeau has been fired by two NBA teams in the last five years.
But once again, Thibodeau will get another job as the Knicks are finalizing a five-year contract with the former Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves coach, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday, citing sources.
The news that Thibodeau is getting another chance to coach a team didn't sit well with former Warriors big man David West.
Man how many times can u fail up as a black head coach.... https://t.co/afTfhdpMMz
— David West (@D_West30) July 25, 2020
I feel for the young players who's development will stagnate but they will be blamed for not working hard....
— David West (@D_West30) July 25, 2020
When former NBA center Kendrick Perkins tweeted that Thibodeau was a great hire for the Knicks, West disagreed.
Young players run for the hills... https://t.co/w1uPWSRBgP
— David West (@D_West30) July 25, 2020
Thibodeau tends to be tough on his players, which doesn't sit well with some. West took that a step further by saying Thibodeau "destroys" players.
Literally destroys guys yet gets chance after chance.... https://t.co/YEf5OMxRD3
— David West (@D_West30) July 25, 2020
West also pointed out three Black coaches, including former Warriors head coach Mark Jackson, either haven't gotten a first or second chance to coach in NBA.
How many opportunities has Mark Jackson gotten?
— David West (@D_West30) July 25, 2020
Ty Lue been given another shot at leading a team?
— David West (@D_West30) July 25, 2020
Patrick Ewing got a shot at NBA job yet or I missed that?
— David West (@D_West30) July 25, 2020
While Jackson didn't win any NBA titles with the Warriors, he is credited with laying the foundation for Golden State's dynasty. Current coach Steve Kerr often makes a point of crediting Jackson for what he did with the Warriors. But since being let go by the Warriors after the 2013-14 season, Jackson hasn't gotten another head coaching opportunity. He has spent the last few years as an NBA analyst for ESPN.
Lue won an NBA title while coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers and went to two more NBA Finals. But after being fired by the Cavs early in the 2018-19 season, Lue didn't get hired by another team. This season, he has been an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Ewing was a superstar with the Knicks, has been enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame and currently serves as the head coach for the Georgetown Men's Basketball team. In three seasons, he's 49-46.
Wojnarowski reported that two assistant coaches -- Dallas Mavericks' Jamahl Mosley and San Antonio Spurs' Will Hardy -- made "strong impressions" on the Knicks front office, but ultimately didn't get the job.
[RELATED: Clippers, not Lakers, are Warriors' next rival]
The Knicks are a young team looking for someone to build a foundation for success. And in New York, a first-time head coach could be overwhelmed by the media coverage and expectation, so in that sense, picking Thibodeau over Mosley, Hardy and Ewing makes sense.
But picking Thibodeau over Lue or Jackson, who have had success at the NBA level, seems like an odd choice.
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