BT opened Friday’s show by declaring that the Knicks are once again being underestimated in a national scope, and they are going to handle the seventh-seeded Sixers in the first round of the playoffs.
But if they don’t, BT will be ready to start wondering if a change is needed at head coach.
“The Knicks are supposed to win this series. The Knicks will win this series,” BT said. “And if they don’t, I’m having the conversation that they might have the wrong coach.
“I’ve been a massive Tom Thibodeau supporter…but there is such a thing as a ceiling. If the Knicks don’t win, does he have a job for life? It doesn’t work that way.”
Callers pushed back on Thibodeau, a Coach of the Year in his first year with the Knicks who just led the team to a 50-win season, being on the hot seat following a potential first-round exit, but BT says there is merit to the discussion, though he ultimately doesn’t believe it will be necessary.
“Don’t tell me I can’t have the conversation,” BT said. “I don’t want to have that conversation today, because I’m saying Knicks in six…but depending on how it goes, and one thing Tom Thibodeau has to stop doing is when a guy is red hot, he sits him. He’s a great head coach and a great culture changer. He’s a great franchise elevator. He’s also 61-62 years old and hasn’t gone to the Finals yet.
“Just to ask the question, it’s not out of bounds. And I love Tom…but if he gets outcoached this series and they lose, I’ll have a different discussion.”