Former New York Knicks star JR Smith has given his thoughts on the team’s situation.
The New York Knicks have a major dilemma on their hands as they conduct their coaching search.
To date the Knicks have been unsuccessful in trying to hire a coach from a NBA rival, most notably rebuffed in their attempts to speak to Jason Kidd.
Interviews have been conducted with Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown, and James Borrego is the latest name to emerge on their radar.
Are any of these an upgrade on Tom Thibodeau, the man who was fired after leading the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years?
Former star JR Smith has given his backing to the idea of giving Thibodeau another call.
JR Smith spoke to WFAN at Fanatics Fest and was asked directly whether the New York Knicks should simply go back to Tom Thibodeau.
While he admitted it was not a likely scenario, Smith said this would be a plan he would actually support.
He responded: “That would be wishful thinking. It’s too hard once you can a guy, it’s so hard to come back.”
He did add: “I’ve seen two coaches in my career, get fired and went back to the same organization so, I think it would be a great move for the Knicks.
“Thibs is an unbelievable coach. The way he did a really good job with what he had.
“The Knicks and the Knicks fans we always expect a win ‘this is going to be our year’. This is the most exciting it’s been since 2013.”
It is hard to imagine the Knicks would actually make the call to bring back Tom Thibodeau, and it is certainly uncertain whether he would even accept.
There were some legitimate reasons why Thibodeau was fired, and having made the move, it is time for another coach to build on what he started.
The Knicks won 51 games in the Eastern Conference last season before being defeated by the Indiana Pacers.
One former Knicks coach who has been tipped to return is Jeff Van Gundy, with Kendrick Perkins claiming he is the ‘only’ man suited to lead the team forward.
