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When the New York Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau last June, after reaching their first conference finals in 25 years, there was an outcry from fans who thought they were making a mistake.
And when they hired Mike Brown as Thibodeau's replacement, after an aimless search that dragged on for a month, there was more doubt about the move.
Let's not forget, the Knicks reportedly tried to interview four coaches already employed by other teams, and were rejected each time. Those coaches included the recently fired Jason Kidd, and Quin Snyder, who Brown and the Knicks just beat in the first round. New York was apparently clueless in which direction to turn.
AURA:Mike Brown compared Jalen Brunson to 2 legends
How fortunate they must feel today to have stumbled into the right man.
However, even if Brown wasn't the first choice of the Knicks (or many of us), the team deserves credit for making the bold decision to part with Thibodeau in the first place. He had been their most successful coach in quite a while, with four playoff appearances in five years. They could have easily ran it back another year on a hope that his playoff shortcomings would improve.
CHEERS:Josh Hart brought wine to the Knicks presser
Instead, the Knicks took charge of their own destiny and made a move for someone they felt better about. Brown has rewarded that decision in the best way possible, taking them to the finals for the first time since 1999 -- for a shot at their first title since 1973.
The Knicks weren't satisfied with merely being good. They were striving for greatness, and that's why they fired a successful coach who appeared to hit his ceiling. After 11 straight wins and an Eastern Conference title, we can say that decision was the right move. They Knicks finally appear to be where they always hoped.
In the case of the Eastern Conference Finals, that loser was the Cleveland Cavaliers. And they didn't just lose to the Knicks, they were decimated by an average of 19 points over the four-game sweep.
It was so bad Donovan Mitchell actually apologized to Cavs fans for the series.
He also said he had "no doubt" the current group in Cleveland can get to their ultimate goal of a title. But that's where I'll have to stop Mitchell. I'm not sure how he can believe that after the Knicks whooped them so bad in Game 4, the Cavs were too dejected to respond to Mitchell's fiery speech attempt. Charles Barkley believes they quit.
It's clear this team has big decisions to make in the offseason. I'm not sure what those include, but if Cleveland is to get back to the finals, I can promise you it won't be with this core of guys. Changes are coming.
This was For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Knicks are NBA Finals bound because they had courage to fire Thibodeau
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And when they hired Mike Brown as Thibodeau's replacement, after an aimless search that dragged on for a month, there was more doubt about the move.
Let's not forget, the Knicks reportedly tried to interview four coaches already employed by other teams, and were rejected each time. Those coaches included the recently fired Jason Kidd, and Quin Snyder, who Brown and the Knicks just beat in the first round. New York was apparently clueless in which direction to turn.
AURA:Mike Brown compared Jalen Brunson to 2 legends
How fortunate they must feel today to have stumbled into the right man.
However, even if Brown wasn't the first choice of the Knicks (or many of us), the team deserves credit for making the bold decision to part with Thibodeau in the first place. He had been their most successful coach in quite a while, with four playoff appearances in five years. They could have easily ran it back another year on a hope that his playoff shortcomings would improve.
CHEERS:Josh Hart brought wine to the Knicks presser
Instead, the Knicks took charge of their own destiny and made a move for someone they felt better about. Brown has rewarded that decision in the best way possible, taking them to the finals for the first time since 1999 -- for a shot at their first title since 1973.
The Knicks weren't satisfied with merely being good. They were striving for greatness, and that's why they fired a successful coach who appeared to hit his ceiling. After 11 straight wins and an Eastern Conference title, we can say that decision was the right move. They Knicks finally appear to be where they always hoped.
The sorry Cavs shouldn't run it back
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In the case of the Eastern Conference Finals, that loser was the Cleveland Cavaliers. And they didn't just lose to the Knicks, they were decimated by an average of 19 points over the four-game sweep.
It was so bad Donovan Mitchell actually apologized to Cavs fans for the series.
He also said he had "no doubt" the current group in Cleveland can get to their ultimate goal of a title. But that's where I'll have to stop Mitchell. I'm not sure how he can believe that after the Knicks whooped them so bad in Game 4, the Cavs were too dejected to respond to Mitchell's fiery speech attempt. Charles Barkley believes they quit.
It's clear this team has big decisions to make in the offseason. I'm not sure what those include, but if Cleveland is to get back to the finals, I can promise you it won't be with this core of guys. Changes are coming.
Gallery of the Day
Quick hits: Delusional Cavs ... Enhanced flop ... and more
- Even after the embarassing sweep, James Harden still thinks the Cavs were a better team than the Knicks. Yeah, OK.
- The Enhanced Games flopped so miserably its parent company's stock tanked almost immediately.
- Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein stunned Jennifer Lopez with his deep knowledge of her former movies.
- Bryce Harper brushes his teeth like a mad man. But we saw it and so now you have to see it too.
This was For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Knicks are NBA Finals bound because they had courage to fire Thibodeau
Continue reading...
