The firing of Tom Thibodeau came as a surprise to many fans and players, as it seemed odd that the Knicks would remove such a legendary coach. Even though he made great strides in getting the team into the Eastern Conference Finals, it seems that the Knicks lost faith in him leading the team into the championships. Many people have already aired their concerns about this discussion and what it could mean for the team, but many more have wondered about the replacement coach. Who could achieve what Thibodeau couldn’t and take the Knicks to the next level?
There are many names in the NBA that could be a potential good match for the Knicks. Micheal Malone and Jason Kidd are two candidates that people favor, but it seems that Johnnie Bryant is the one who may take over. It is easy to see why, as his former involvement with the team as the associate head coach gives him an edge over the other candidates.
Johnnie Bryant already has a strong bond with the players and knows their strengths and weaknesses. Since his time under Thibodeau, he is likely aware of what didn’t work with his coaching style, which he can change to accommodate the team’s need to become champion material. That way, the players can strive for an adjusted version of what they are used to, instead of having someone new come in and make too many changes.
While it is still difficult to see Tom go, I do think that Johnnie has what it takes to fill the role. It might do good for the team to be under new supervision that is willing to take the Knicks name to new heights.
