At least two members of the New York Knicks’ front office recommended that the team fire Tom Thibodeau at the All-Star break following a 3-13 stretch that dropped their season record to 25-34 at the time.
Those lobbying for a change thought Thibodeau had “lost the team.”
According to a source, Leon Rose was adamantly opposed to the move and that allowed Thibodeau to remain in the job.
The Knicks had a 12-11 record after the break and is expected to be back next season.
Rose’s top advisors are executive VP William Wesley, GM Scott Perry, chief of strategy Brock Aller, assistant GMs Frank Zanin and Walter Perrin and personnel director Makhtar N’diaye.
Rose called Thibodeau “one of the best coaches in the NBA” who “prepares our team better than anybody. I feel that he’s done a good job under the circumstances.”
