Knicks Tom Thibodeau Named NBA Coach of the Year

After leading the New York Knicks to their first playoff appearance in eight years, Tom Thibodeau has been named the 2020-21 NBA Coach of the Year. The NBA on TNT gang was the first to speak with him:

The Inside Crew announces Tom Thibodeau as the 2020-21 NBA Coach of the Year 👏 @nyknicks pic.twitter.com/Y5yHBMxGBO
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 7, 2021

Knicks' fans are no doubt thrilled at the job Tibs did in his first season as head coach, even if they might have cringed at the first name he dropped in his 'thank yous' — owner James Dolan.

Nevertheless, Thibodeau led the Knicks to a 41-31 record this season, and a 4th place finish in the Eastern Conference. He now becomes the first-ever to win Coach of the Year in his first season with two different franchises; he also won it exactly ten years ago with the Chicago Bulls.

Thibodeau also becomes the first Knicks coach to win the award since Pat Riley in 1992-93.

The Phoenix Suns' Monty Williams finished 2nd in the voting; Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz placed 3rd.

Michael Malone finishes 7th in Coach of the Year vote. He earned a third-place vote from me. pic.twitter.com/t7N0aB2HDH
— Mike Singer (@msinger) June 7, 2021