The New York Knicks’ decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals has dominated headlines, stirring up questions about what NBA teams expect from their leaders, how organizations define success, and whether merit still matters in modern coaching.
Eric Koreen of The Athletic examines the firing through a philosophical lens. He questions what fans really want from coaches. “On merit, Thibodeau should still be there,” Koreen writes, citing the Knicks’ 51-win season, a win over the defending champs, and their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years.