Tom Thibodeau in danger if playoffs are a disaster

Thibodeau has long faced criticism for overworking his starters, a reputation shaped by his heavy dependence on his top unit and limited bench use. This season, Knicks starters have logged over 500 more minutes than any other team’s starting five. That concern isn’t new — last year, as New York’s strongest Finals push in decades fell apart under a wave of injuries, his substitution habits came under fire once again.

The conversation resurfaced recently when Knicks guard Mikal Bridges — one of the NBA’s most durable players — spoke unusually openly about the issue in an interview, shedding light on Thibodeau’s heavy-minute approach.

“Sometimes it’s not fun on the body,” said the Knicks wing. “You’ll want that as a coach but also talked to him a little bit knowing that we’ve got a good enough team where our bench guys can come in and we don’t need to play 48 (minutes), 47.”

Thibodeau has consistently brushed off the criticism. Still, his reputation as a coach who shortens careers has stuck—largely fueled by Derrick Rose’s major knee injury during Thibodeau’s tenure in Chicago.

The Knicks have gone all-in, leaving little room for ambiguity about expectations. A first-round exit would clearly mark a failure. Falling to Boston in the second round is tougher to judge. If the Celtics dominate, it could signal the Knicks aren’t true contenders. But if New York pushes Boston and the Celtics repeat as champions, the outcome becomes much harder to interpret.

Thibodeau’s offense faced criticism for its lack of creativity, yet the Knicks ranked fifth in offensive efficiency. Despite Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive struggles, the team finished 13th defensively. In short, no single reason justifies firing Thibodeau. If the Knicks part ways with him, it will stem from a combination of factors—some within his control, others not.