Shortly following an Eastern Conference Finals exit, the New York Knicks have decided to part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
The firing is surprising given that the Knicks actually exceeded playoff expectations as a three-seed that was just two wins away from the NBA Finals.
As Charania notes, Thibodeau helped the Knicks return to relevancy, ending a 25-year drought without a Conference Finals appearance. Despite the relative success, New York will seek a new voice to guide them in the 2025-26 season.
Their loss could have potentially been Portland's gain. That is, had they not agreed to a multi-year extension with head coach Chauncey Billups on April 13th.
Thibodeau would have been an upgrade over Billups
Committing to a head coach like that runs the risk of missing out on better options should they become available, and that's precisely what has happened in Portland's case.
Billups has a record of 116-211 in his four seasons with the Blazers, which is good for a measly .354 win percentage. Compare that to Thibodeau, who has an impressive .579 career win percentage as head coach and several years of experience over Billups.
Billups was on the hot seat heading into the 2024-25 season after the Blazers decided not to pick up his option. Initially, all signs pointed towards a mutual parting at the end of the season. But Portland's surprising midseason turnaround, which contributed to a 15-win increase from the previous season, led to Billups' polarizing extension.
General manager Joe Cronin cited the Blazers' drastically improved defense as a key reason for what seemed to be a change of heart.
"The defensive improvement that we've seen, for us to be the third-best defense in the league in the second half of the season. That's meaningful and substantive," Cronin said. "And that's what we've been trying to build. And that's what we're going to point to moving forward, this is who we are."
Cronin's long-term championship vision for the Blazers is similar to Billups' old Pistons team. Despite lacking a true superstar, Detroit won the NBA Finals in 2004, largely thanks to its elite defense.
That vision aligns with Portland's roster construction. In order to make up for their lack of star power, they'll need to separate themselves on the defensive end. They are well-equipped to do so with pieces like Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara, who was recently awarded an All-Defensive Second Team selection.
However, Thibodeau, not Billups, would ideally carry out that vision. He brings that similar defensive-minded approach but with a much more proven track record.
The Blazers are trying to make the playoffs with an extremely young roster that consists of several players who haven't been there before. Combine that with a head coach who also lacks that experience, and there's going to be unnecessary growing pains on the horizon.
Thibodeau would have been the better option to help Portland take that next step in its rebuild.