EMERGENCY POD: Knicks FIRE Tom Thibodeau! Right Call? Who Should Be the NEXT Coach?

The New York Knicks shocked the NBA by firing head coach Tom Thibodeau—just weeks after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. In this emergency episode of Locked On NBA, Doug Branson is joined by Matt Moore and Haize to break down the timing, the fallout, and what it says about the Knicks’ title ambitions. Matt doesn't mince words, calling Thibodeau "a coach that runs his course" and pointing to OG Anunoby and McHale Bridges as players underutilized in Tibbs' system. Haize wonders if the Knicks are trying to get ahead of a weak Eastern Conference and push into the title picture next season. Could Mike Malone be the perfect replacement? Both Matt and Haize think so—citing his championship pedigree, New York roots, and ability to get the most out of star players. But what happens to Rick Brunson? And does this move signify more separation between player and power in New York? Plus, the crew dives into what this means for players like Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Jalen Brunson, and whether this bold coaching change signals that Leon Rose has truly raised the bar at MSG. If the Knicks want more than a feel-good story, was firing Thibodeau the only path forward? Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONBA?sid=YouTube Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA Find a Daily Locked On NBA Podcast covering your favorite team: 📲 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA Follow the Locked On Podcast Network Twitter 📲 https://twitter.com/LockedOnNetwork TikTok 📲 https://www.tiktok.com/@lockedonsports Subscribe to the Locked On NBA YouTube Channel: Locked On NBA Follow/Subscribe/Listen Anywhere: linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OpenPhone Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonnba Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. Your well-being is worth it. Visit BetterHelp.com/lockedonnba today to get 10% off your first month. Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year FanDuel Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.