Tom Thibodeau Accomplishes Shocking First for New York Knicks Under James Dolan

The New York Knicks crossed another thing off their to-do list for the NBA offseason this week. They worked out a much-deserved extension with head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Entering the final year of his original contract, the two sides agreed to a three-year extension so that he would avoid lame-duck status. He is now under contract through the 2027-28 season.

By inking this extension, Tom Thibodeau has accomplished a truly shocking first. James Dolan took on an increased role as owner in 1999.

As shared by Alder Almo on X , since that point, not a single head coach for the Knicks has inked a second contract with the franchise. That is until Thibodeau put pen to paper this week to make his extension official.

Since 1999, the longest-tenured head coach the Knicks have had before Tom Thibodeau was Mike D’Antoni. He was fired during his fourth season on the job during the 2011-12 NBA season.

Thibodeau was the 14th person to be head coach of the franchise since 1999, including interim head coaches. The 21st century has been a truly dark time for the Knicks, but there is now a light at the tunnel thanks to improvements in management and the coaching staff in recent years.

Tom Thibodeau just wrapped up his fourth season as the Knicks head coach. The team is on the rise, as he has proven to be the perfect fit for what Leon Rose wanted to do when he took over the front office in March 2020.

This roster is built perfectly for Tom Thibodeau and what he wants to do on the court. He has shown a willingness to adjust, something he wasn’t known for doing at previous stops in the NBA.

That change in his approach is a big reason why the Knicks are in the position they are. This team is a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference, thought of by many as the biggest threat to the Boston Celtics.

New York has made the playoffs in the last two seasons and three out of the four seasons with Tom Thibodeau on the sidelines. The last time the Knicks made consecutive trips to the playoffs was 2011-2013.

In his four seasons, the Knicks have gone 175-143 in the regular season and 14-15 in the postseason. They will be in a great position to improve both of those records during the 2024-25 season with one of the best rosters in the NBA.

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