Dolan Reflects on Thibs' Coaching Style and Future Potential

James Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks, recently shared his thoughts on former head coach Tom Thibodeau, expressing both admiration and a hint of criticism regarding his coaching methods. “We loved Thibs, we really did, I held him in high regard,” Dolan remarked, recognizing Thibodeau’s contributions to the team.

Dolan did not shy away from expressing mixed feelings about Thibodeau’s traditional style of coaching. “It would not surprise me at all, by the way, if Thibs comes back and coaches a championship team because I think you could still win that way,” he noted, suggesting that Thibodeau's approach could still yield success in the right circumstances.

However, Dolan hinted at a need for evolution in coaching philosophies, stating, “Thibs was kind of old style. Right? Like Red Holzman, right, everything comes through me, and I’ll guide us through.” He acknowledged Thibodeau's strengths but suggested that this style may have limited the contributions of other team members.

In contrast, he pointed to Mike Brown's different coaching philosophy, which appears to have better suited the current roster, especially during their Finals run where injuries did not hinder their performance. This reflects a growing trend in the NBA towards more collaborative coaching approaches.