NBA executives blame Knicks for firing Tom Thibodeau on Carl Anthony Towns

According to US sports media F/W reporter Nico Martinez. After a crushing defeat in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks are still trying to figure out what exactly is causing their playoff collapse. Their first reaction was to fire head coach Thibodeau, but an NBA executive said the real reason for his departure was actually due to Towns. “Who was the Timberwolves when he was fired in 2019? Who was Towns’ former agent (Leon Rose, now the Knicks president), I wouldn’t be surprised if Towns told Leon in the filing deal that he didn’t want to play for Thibodeau anymore,” an anonymous NBA executive told Hoops Wire.

Downs played for Thibodeau for the Timberwolves, where they achieved mixed results. While they did have some success early on, it was only brief after the situation became toxic. After reunion in New York, Towns played for him again and reminded him how high the standards he had on the defensive end. Knowing that he would never win favor in Thibodeau’s rotation, some believe that Towns drove the coach away so he could escape responsibility.

"Leon always listens to his players. That's why he is loved by all clients as an agent. Look, I'm not sure about that, but if I were a gambler, I would be gambled a lot of money, Downs told Leon that he doesn't want to play for Thibodeau anymore," the executive said via Hoops Wire. "They have a bad relationship. Thibodeau likes people who are at a high level of defense and take responsibility in that. Towns has never done that. He doesn't want to. He wants to leave his energy to the offense."

Shibodeau has been considered a defensive coach since he played with the Chicago Bulls, and he is good at making the most of his team on the defensive end. His coaching style is much more traditional, and he focuses very much on using patience and body to slow down his opponents. As a big shot man, Towns has never been a defensive player and has been basically a defensive burden throughout his career. In Thibodeau's eyes, this is a loophole, which is why his role in rotation is inconsistent compared to those of Anunobi and Hart.

With three years and $171 million left on his contract, the Knicks have no choice but to cater to Towns and do whatever it can to make it work. If getting rid of Thibodeau would be enough to win his loyalty, it would be no surprise that the Knicks let him go, despite playing a role in leading the squad’s huge shift. When the Knicks start looking for a replacement for Thibodeau, they have to consider choosing the right coach for Towns and their other stars Brunson and Bridges. New York has to find someone who can put their strengths together and find a way to maximize what each player does best.

With the people they have, the Knicks aren't doing well in defense, but if they find the right coach in the locker room, they might be elite on the other end. For better or worse, Towns will be part of the process, just as he may have been involved in Thibodeau's sack.