P.J. Carlesimo Critiques Knicks’ Decision-Making
P.J. Carlesimo has a bleak outlook on the Knicks’ management practices, which he believes are frequently self-defeating.
“The Knicks always think they’re smarter than everybody else; that’s their philosophy,” Carlesimo stated on the “Ryen Russillo podcast” on Tuesday.
He added, “They feel unique, believing they are more knowledgeable than other teams. However, they often end up being their own worst enemy.”
The former NBA coach, currently a commentator for ESPN Radio, believes the franchise is once again sabotaging itself by choosing to fire Tom Thibodeau after five seasons.
The Knicks released Thibodeau last week following a season that saw the team reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years, along with four playoff appearances.
Complications in Finding a Replacement
In their hunt for a new head coach, the Knicks have faced rejection from three teams regarding interview requests, and interest from two notable two-time college championship coaches has waned.
Carlesimo remarked, “I’m biased because I favor coaches, but that’s just the Knicks—they don’t know what they’re doing and are consistently their own worst enemy.”
A Polarizing Coaching Decision
The decision to part ways with Thibodeau has sparked mixed reactions among fans, with both strong supporters and detractors of the coach emerging.
Thibodeau transformed the Knicks from a struggling franchise to a title contender, highlighted by an upset victory over the reigning champion Celtics in the second round this year. Nevertheless, being eliminated by the lower-seeded Pacers for the third consecutive year under his leadership raised questions about his coaching capabilities.
Concerns from Within
According to reports from The Post, Knicks executives were worried about Thibodeau’s potential to lead a championship team, and some players expressed frustration with his coaching style.
Carlesimo questioned the decision-making process, stating, “I don’t know who made this call. (Knicks president) Leon (Rose) has had many good decisions; was this one of them? I don’t think it was solely a player-based decision.”
Criticism and Tribute
He further argued, “I don’t think the players were that unhappy. I believe Thibodeau is still one of the best coaches in the league. You don’t win just by outsmarting him; he excels at maximizing his team’s potential.”
Carlesimo, who has coached various NBA teams, praised Thibodeau for his excellent management of the roster.
Future Outlook for the Knicks
Carlesimo noted that not securing a replacement has compounded the team’s issues. The choice of a new coach will heavily influence public perception of the decision to ax Thibodeau.
Attempts to engage candidates like Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, and Chris Finch have been met with refusals, while former Villanova coach Jay Wright and UConn coach Dan Hurley have also indicated they are not interested in the position.
Next Steps and Options
Carlesimo expressed concern about the Knicks’ direction, wondering, “Where are they headed? If you’re making a move like this, you would expect to have something lined up.”
He emphasized, “It seems like there’s a strong push to recruit J-Kidd, although it’s unclear if Dallas will allow it.”
