New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has made a rather surprising decision in attempts to get his team back on track. Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Thibodeau confirmed that All-Star guard Kemba Walker won’t be part of the Knicks’ rotation moving forward.

Walker had a promising start of 2021-22, but his numbers have significantly dropped as the season progressed. He particularly struggled with shooting in November, prompting Thibodeau to limit his minutes on the floor. When this didn’t help, Thibodeau opted to try an even more drastic approach.

“It’s a tough decision to make, but you always have to do what you think is best for the team,” Thibodeau said about the decision. “I view Kemba as a starter, and so it’d be tough to play three small guards together. I gave it consideration, and I’ve got great respect for who Kemba is as a person and all he’s accomplished in this league.”

With Walker out of the rotation, the Knicks will rely on journeyman Alec Burks as their starting point guard. They have veteran Derrick Rose as a backup.

Kemba Walker signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Knicks after being waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder in early August. It was a chance for Walker to start fresh with his hometown team, but things are not looking well at the moment. Before being removed from the rotation, the 31-year-old was averaging career-lows in points (11.7), rebounds (2.6), and assists (3.1).

Meanwhile, the Knicks find themselves barely holding onto a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They are seventh with an 11-9 record and sit just half a game in front of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Boston Celtics.

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The New York Knicks are currently finalizing a five-year deal with former Bulls and Wolves head coach Tom Thibodeau, bringing a new era of basketball to the Big Apple.

Thibodeau, who won the 2011 NBA Coach of the Year Award during his excellent run with Chicago, is expected to be announced as the franchise’s new head coach at some point this week.

This move could end up being a big win for the Knicks, who have struggled with a lack of consistency and winning results from their coaches ever since the turn of the century.

David Fizdale was the last coach to be kicked out of Madison Square Garden, being fired this winter after posting a dismal 21-83 record during parts of two seasons with the franchise.

While Mike Miller acted as the team’s interim coach during the majority of the 2019-20 season, it was clear that the franchise would look to bring in a big-name coach with whom to go forward, and they appear to have gotten their man in Thibodeau.

If things go to plan, the Knicks now have a tough, defensive-minded head coach who may be able to help their young, talented players and return the team to the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves fired head coach Tom Thibodeau on Sunday despite a 22-point win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Ryan Saunders, the immediate assistant coach and formerly Minnesota’s head coach, will take over Thibodeau’s job in an interim position.

“We would like to thank Tom for his efforts and wish him all the best,” owner Glen Taylor said. “These decisions are never easy to make, but we felt them necessary to move our organization forward.”

Thibodeau doubled up as the team’s head coach and president of basketball operations. He joined Minnesota in 2016 after successful stints in Boston and Chicago. This season, the 60-year-old had an 18-21 record prior to beating the Lakers 108-86 on Sunday.

After the blowout win, CEO Ethan Casson and general manager Scott Layden fired Thibodeau immediately and replaced him with Saunders. Layden’s job is also not secure as there are reports Minnesota plans to replace him with Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg. However, UCLA also wants Hoiberg, which may complicate the issue.

Thibodeau has been in the hot since he traded Jimmy Butler amidst a host of controversies. The saga allegedly contributed to Minnesota’s woes. The team didn’t remain down for long though as they have since won 15 games against 12 losses.

The post Timberwolves Fire Coach Tom Thibodeau despite Blow-out Win over the Lakers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has made a rather surprising decision in attempts to get his team back on track. Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Thibodeau confirmed that All-Star guard Kemba Walker won’t be part of the Knicks’ rotation moving forward.

Walker had a promising start of 2021-22, but his numbers have significantly dropped as the season progressed. He particularly struggled with shooting in November, prompting Thibodeau to limit his minutes on the floor. When this didn’t help, Thibodeau opted to try an even more drastic approach.

“It’s a tough decision to make, but you always have to do what you think is best for the team,” Thibodeau said about the decision. “I view Kemba as a starter, and so it’d be tough to play three small guards together. I gave it consideration, and I’ve got great respect for who Kemba is as a person and all he’s accomplished in this league.”

With Walker out of the rotation, the Knicks will rely on journeyman Alec Burks as their starting point guard. They have veteran Derrick Rose as a backup.

Kemba Walker signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Knicks after being waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder in early August. It was a chance for Walker to start fresh with his hometown team, but things are not looking well at the moment. Before being removed from the rotation, the 31-year-old was averaging career-lows in points (11.7), rebounds (2.6), and assists (3.1).

Meanwhile, the Knicks find themselves barely holding onto a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They are seventh with an 11-9 record and sit just half a game in front of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Boston Celtics.

The post All-Star Guard Kemba Walker Removed From Knicks’ Rotation appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The New York Knicks are currently finalizing a five-year deal with former Bulls and Wolves head coach Tom Thibodeau, bringing a new era of basketball to the Big Apple.

Thibodeau, who won the 2011 NBA Coach of the Year Award during his excellent run with Chicago, is expected to be announced as the franchise’s new head coach at some point this week.

This move could end up being a big win for the Knicks, who have struggled with a lack of consistency and winning results from their coaches ever since the turn of the century.

David Fizdale was the last coach to be kicked out of Madison Square Garden, being fired this winter after posting a dismal 21-83 record during parts of two seasons with the franchise.

While Mike Miller acted as the team’s interim coach during the majority of the 2019-20 season, it was clear that the franchise would look to bring in a big-name coach with whom to go forward, and they appear to have gotten their man in Thibodeau.

If things go to plan, the Knicks now have a tough, defensive-minded head coach who may be able to help their young, talented players and return the team to the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

The post Knicks Reportedly Agree to 5-Year Deal with Coach Tom Thibodeau appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Minnesota Timberwolves fired head coach Tom Thibodeau on Sunday despite a 22-point win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Ryan Saunders, the immediate assistant coach and formerly Minnesota’s head coach, will take over Thibodeau’s job in an interim position.

“We would like to thank Tom for his efforts and wish him all the best,” owner Glen Taylor said. “These decisions are never easy to make, but we felt them necessary to move our organization forward.”

Thibodeau doubled up as the team’s head coach and president of basketball operations. He joined Minnesota in 2016 after successful stints in Boston and Chicago. This season, the 60-year-old had an 18-21 record prior to beating the Lakers 108-86 on Sunday.

After the blowout win, CEO Ethan Casson and general manager Scott Layden fired Thibodeau immediately and replaced him with Saunders. Layden’s job is also not secure as there are reports Minnesota plans to replace him with Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg. However, UCLA also wants Hoiberg, which may complicate the issue.

Thibodeau has been in the hot since he traded Jimmy Butler amidst a host of controversies. The saga allegedly contributed to Minnesota’s woes. The team didn’t remain down for long though as they have since won 15 games against 12 losses.

The post Timberwolves Fire Coach Tom Thibodeau despite Blow-out Win over the Lakers appeared first on SportzBonanza.