With Tom Thibodeau gone, the New York Knicks might turn to a familiar face.
Jeff Van Gundy, now an assistant with the LA Clippers, has emerged as a candidate to take over.
Van Gundy led the Knicks from 1996 to 2001, guiding them to the 1999 NBA Finals.
On Tuesday, The Athletic listed Van Gundy as a potential Thibs replacement.
“The LA Clippers assistant, who led the Knicks’ from 1996 to 2001, is back on the bench. After all these years, Van Gundy could command another lead job. But he is also highly connected with the Knicks’ previous coach, Thibodeau. The two are close. Thibodeau would travel to practices at Providence in the 1980s, when Van Gundy was an assistant there, to learn from that staff. Eventually, Thibodeau joined Van Gundy’s team with the Knicks in the 1990s. Like some of these other candidates, going from Thibodeau to Van Gundy would not represent a significant swing.”
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Van Gundy’s history with New York, including a gritty Finals run, makes him a sentimental favorite.
His defensive-minded approach aligns with Thibodeau’s, and their close relationship suggests a seamless transition. Now back in coaching after years in broadcasting, Van Gundy brings experience and a no-nonsense style suited for a high-pressure market. His tenure produced consistent playoff appearances, a plus for a Knicks team with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns ready to win now.
However, the lack of a stylistic shift could make this a head-scratching hire.
Why would the Knicks fire Thibs to replace him with someone so closely associated? This move probably wouldn’t make sense for New York, however entertaining a Van Gundy return might be for Knicks fans.
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