New York Knicks fans did not take the Tom Thibodeau era for granted. After years in the NBA wilderness, the coach brought them back to relevancy.
This past season Tom Thibodeau took the New York Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. But this was not enough.
Thibodeau was fired following the loss to the Pacers, and there were strong feelings about the Knicks’ decision.
Outspoken analyst and Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith put the team on blast and even called for an NBA investigation, due to the lack of communication from the ownership.
But now looking forward, he has stated how the Knicks can win him around again.
Ime Udoka linked to New York Knicks
The New York Knicks were claimed to have an initial shortlist of candidates, and among them was Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka.
A move could be unlikely, as Udoka is building something special with the Rockets, who finished as the two-seed with a young squad in the super-competitive Western Conference.
Stephen A. Smith told his YouTube channel that Udoka would be the one appointment who could win him around.
He said: “Everything I said about the Knicks yesterday that raked my damn nerves, even their weak ass statement by President Leon Rose, I would have forgave that if they came and said, Yo man, Ime Udoka is going to be the head coach of the New York Knicks.
“All would have been forgiven. Ime Udoka is a hell of a coach.”
However, he concedes it might be impossible, explaining he had even checked in himself over whether Houston could let him leave.
“I called the source within an organization five minutes ago, and they said ‘you couldn’t pay us enough’.
“He ain’t going nowhere… Ime Udoka is staying in Houston.”
Stephen A. Smith named his top choices
The ESPN personality went on to name his top five list of coaching choices for the Knicks, with Ime Udoka a joint number one.
He even selected Jalen Brunson’s dad Rick Brunson as his fourth option, citing his coaching experience.
- Jay Wright
- Rick Brunson
- Michael Malone
- Mark Jackson
- Ime Udoka/Ty Lue
The Knicks would have a tough job getting Ty Lue away from the LA Clippers, while another coach they are allegedly interested in is the Dallas Mavericks’ head coach Jason Kidd.
A move for Kidd is claimed to be unlikely but not impossible, with ESPN insider Tim MacMahon refusing to rule it out.
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