Stephen A. Smith thinks it’s time for a new president in New York if the Knicks are able to acquire Zion Williamson.
“If by some chance Zion could be in New York,” Smith said, The clip for “Premiere” is on ThursdayI think this must be Tom Thibodeau’s last year in New York. I’m not saying he’s not a great coach, I’m not saying he can’t coach, I’m not saying he did anything wrong.”
What Smith says, however, is that there are better options out there — namely, Tyronn Lue, who is currently captain of the Los Angeles Clippers.
“It’s not about Tom Thibodeau,” said Smith. “I think Ty Lue is one of the great coaches in the NBA. The two best coaches in the NBA right now”.
However, this takes all the stops assuming Williamson lands in New York, which is highly unlikely.
The New Orleans Pelican has recently faced backlash over its off-court life, fueling business speculation.
Williamson, who finished first overall in the 2019 draft, missed out on being originally selected by the Knicks, who earned the third pick.
The Knicks are likely to put together a massive package to deliver the power forward.
Thibodeau has returned Nicks to a playoff team since his arrival in 2020 as the 26th head coach in franchise history.
He inducted the Knicks into their first postseason in eight years in his first season and was named the 2021 NBA Coach of the Year.
The Knicks clinched a spot in the conference semifinals this postseason for the first time since 2013 before losing 4-2 in the series against the Miami Heat.
Thibodeau’s Knicks have been successful, but Smith believes Lue is the man who took them to the next level.
“If the New York Knickerbockers are looking to the future, I think a coach who I think is better than Tom Thibodeau — who is 19 years his junior — is someone they should be chasing,” Smith said.
Lue has two years left on his contract with the Clippers.
With a sophomore year as the team’s option, the head coach will likely be placed on the agency’s free shopping shelf this coming off-season.
