Amid the ongoing rumblings about his coaching security, Tom Thibodeau is expected to still hold the play-calling helm of the New York Knicks beyond this 2021-2022 season (h/t Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report). 

Fischer pointed out that there is some “internal support” within the Knicks brass to part ways with Thibodeau, who have won the NBA Coach of the Year award upon leading New York to a campaign of renaissance last season. 

New York stands 5.5 games outside of the play-in tournament following a surprising run to the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs just last spring, and there has been some internal support to move on from the NBA’s reigning Coach of the Year, sources said.

Knicks team governor James Dolan already passed the decision to the front office if they’ll either retain or terminate Thibodeau out of the coveted franchise, yet top executive Leon Rose hasn’t shown any plans yet to make adjustments. It is noted that both Rose and the veteran tactician are on good terms and having frequent dialogues regarding the team’s direction. 

After capping off the 2021 season with flying colors — appearing in their first playoff series since 2013 while being the fourth-seeded squad of the East — New York is now in a peculiar position, as chances of a back-to-back postseason appearance continues to fade out. Fischer provided that unavailability issues, poor roster retooling, and inconsistencies are plenty of reasons that have resulted in the disappointment. 

Thibodeau inked a five-year deal with the Knickerbockers last 2020 to become their lead strategist. With that given length of partnership, it seems that commitment between both sides will remain firm.