Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks was named the 2020-21 NBA coach of the year, and Twitter shared their thoughts on the decision.
Last year, the New York Knicks were looking for another man to lead the team on the sidelines following the firing of David Fizdale. The Knicks opted to sign former Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau to be the man to bring the Knicks back to relevance. All Thibodeau needed was one year, and he was rewarded for his hard work.
On Monday, Thibodeau was named the 2020-21 NBA Coach of the Year by the media after leading the Knicks to a 41-31 record and their first playoff berth since 2013. This is also Thibodeau’s second time winning this award, as he did so back in 2011 when coaching the Bulls.
NBA Twitter shared their thoughts on Thibodeau earning more votes than finalists Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns and Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz.
The NBA names the Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau its Coach of the Year: pic.twitter.com/ZvxR6vetgY
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 7, 2021
What a season.
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 7, 2021
Congratulations to our leader, Tom Thibodeau, on being named the 2020-21 NBA Coach of the Year. pic.twitter.com/aXHXku4t2i
Well deserved, congrats to Thibs!
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) June 7, 2021
My ballot:
1. Monty Williams
2. Tom Thibodeau
3. Quin Snyder https://t.co/HKYEBDc9fY
It’s official: the Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau wins the NBA’s Coach of the Year award. (The Suns’ Monty Williams won the coach of the year award that was voted on by the coaches association. The NBA’s award is voted on by the media.) pic.twitter.com/zswAg0HeN4
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 7, 2021
EXTREMELY close race: Monty Williams was second, but actually got more first-place votes than Tom Thibodeau. Quin Snyder was third.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 7, 2021
I covered Monty Williams as a player. He is a great guy and did a great job this year. He also had a much stronger roster than Tom Thibodeau had with the Knicks.
— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) June 7, 2021
tom thibodeau has now won coach of the year twice as many times as phil jackson
— russ bengtson (@russbengtson) June 7, 2021
Tom Thibodeau COTY MOOD pic.twitter.com/0ah4wIr2YJ
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) June 7, 2021
NBA Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 7, 2021
My ballot:
Thibs
Quin Snyder
Monty Williams https://t.co/Hj8NhRQzd7
Here’s how I voted for @nba coach of the year:
— Dave Pasch (@DavePasch) June 7, 2021
3. Quin Snyder, 2. Tom Thibodeau, 1. Monty Williams
Knicks: Tom Thibodeau named 2020-21 NBA Coach of the Year
The race for Coach of the Year came down to the wire between Thibodeau and Williams. Even though the Suns head coach received more first-place votes (45) than Thibodeau (43), the Knicks coach received 42 second place votes to Williams’ 32 to win 351-340. Williams did receive Coach of the Year as voted by the National Basketball Coaches Association.
Thibodeau is now the first Knicks coach to win this distinguished honor since Pat Riley did so following the 1992-93 season.
Upon his hiring, Thibodeau took over a team that lacked huge names like other squads in the Eastern Conference, but he molded the roster into his image. The Knicks thrived on defense under Thibodeau, as they allowed an average of 104.7 points per game while also limiting opponents to a 44.0 field goal percentage and 33.7 three point percentage, all of which were league-bests, per ESPN.
New York clinched the fourth-seed in the Eastern Conference and home court advantage, but were eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks in five games.
Despite the end result, no one believed that the Knicks would clinch a playoff spot, well alone finish above .500. Credit can be given to Thibodeau, as he looks to improve upon this already impressive season next year.