Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Thibs Not in Trouble

Release Date: April 7, 2025
Hosts: Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Episode Title: Hour 3: Thibs Not in Trouble
Duration: Approximately 50 minutes

Introduction

In this episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, the hosts dive deep into the ongoing debates surrounding the New York Knicks' head coach, Tom Thibodeau ("Thibs"). The conversation primarily centers on whether Thibs should remain with the team based on their performance and potential postseason outcomes. Alongside this, the hosts touch upon broader topics in sports, including baseball weather impacts and comparisons with other coaching scenarios in different leagues.

Main Discussion: Tom Thibodeau's Tenure with the Knicks

The primary focus of the episode is the stability and future of Tom Thibodeau as the Knicks' head coach. The hosts analyze the team's performance improvements under Thibbs and debate the conditions under which he might face dismissal.

• Performance Improvement:

  • Alan Hahn highlights the Knicks' resurgence, noting, "They’ve finally found stability. They are winning. They expect to win. The standard is high."
    (Timestamp: 07:07)

• Potential for Dismissal:

  • Rick DiPietro raises the concern, stating, "If they lose in the first round... there is that chance" that Thibbs could be fired.
    (Timestamp: 07:20)

  • Dave Rothenberg echoes the sentiment, emphasizing accountability, "If they get bounced the first round, that's on Thibs."
    (Timestamp: 07:49)

• Counterarguments:

  • Alan Hahn passionately defends Thibbs, arguing against hasty decisions based on playoff losses: "If you look at this, Don, Alan... this is being done here... How do you fix that to say this is... make everything unstable"
    (Timestamp: 08:22)

  • He further contends that Thibbs has transformed the Knicks into one of the elite teams, making it illogical to consider firing him after achieving unprecedented regular-season success:
    "They have finally found stability. Finally, the first thing we gonna do is get rid of the guy that put this train back on the tracks."
    (Timestamp: 08:59)

• Fan Sentiments and Organizational Loyalty:

  • The hosts discuss the mentality of New York sports fans, highlighting a tendency to criticize despite organizational improvements.
    "There are fans who think right now the guy should be fired... but he has done nothing but win back to back 50 win seasons."
    (Timestamp: 14:36)

• Comparisons with Other Coaches:

  • Alan Hahn draws parallels with other successful coaches who were unjustly fired, such as Mike Budenholzer, to argue for Thibbs' job security:
    "Like Mike Budenholzer... you've had a really good season... then they fire him."
    (Timestamp: 15:08)

Listener Calls and Perspectives

The episode features several listener interactions, providing diverse viewpoints on the coaching debate.

• Listener Joe from Yonkers:

  • Expresses concern about Thibbs being fired if the Knicks don't perform in the playoffs, particularly mentioning the potential acquisition of Kevin Durant.
    "If they're trying to get Durant, that's going to change everything."
    (Timestamp: 28:14)

• Listener Mark from Staten Island:

  • Challenges the hosts by proposing hypothetical scenarios where Thibbs might be fired, emphasizing player-coach relationships and team dynamics.
    "The team that was last year... and they have a new team now... get rid of Tibbs, you can't say that because the team is different."
    (Timestamp: 29:16)

• Listener Josh from Brooklyn:

  • Provides an in-depth analysis of Thibbs' coaching style and its impact on team chemistry, arguing against the notion that Thibbs is inherently flawed.
    "The team that Thibbs built now is not the team he built before... They have been transformed."
    (Timestamp: 31:23)

Comparative Analysis: Other Sports Teams and Coaches

The hosts draw comparisons between the Knicks' situation and other sports franchises to underscore the complexities of coaching decisions.

• Baseball Weather Issues:

  • Discussions around how weather impacts baseball games and the paradox of teams deciding which sports play indoors versus outdoors.
    "Why is that when it comes to sports... the baseball team plays outside."
    (Timestamps: 02:48 - 03:54)

• Comparison with Tom Buck and Marty Schottenheimer:

  • Rick DiPietro likens Thibbs to coaches like Marty Schottenheimer, who are known for getting teams to the playoffs but not securing championships:
    "He'll get you to the playoffs but just can't get over the top."
    (Timestamp: 37:29)

• NBA Coaching Stability:

  • The unpredictability of coaching tenures in the NBA is discussed, referencing coaches like Jason Kidd and Eric Spoelstra as potential parallels or alternatives if Thibbs were ever to leave.
    "Ty Lue is someone I'd go for... he's the right kind of temperament for this market."
    (Timestamp: 35:05)

Broader Sports Discussions

Beyond the central theme of Thibbs' role, the hosts touch upon other sports topics:

• Yankees' Performance:

  • Analysis of recent Yankees games, focusing on pitching struggles and offensive inconsistencies.
    "The Yankees lost six to two... It does feel like that."
    (Timestamp: 42:36)

• Mets and Division Contenders:

  • Insights into the Mets' early-season performance and comparisons with Giants, Dodgers, and other MLB teams.
    "The Mets have won four in a row. The bats are still silent, but pitching has been good."
    (Timestamp: 46:05)

• Run Differential and Team Standings:

  • Rick DiPietro highlights the Yankees' strong run differential despite recent losses, emphasizing the unpredictability of baseball standings.
    "Yankees have by far the best run differential in baseball."
    (Timestamp: 47:30)

Concluding Thoughts

The episode wraps up with a reaffirmation of Thibbs' value to the Knicks and a critique of the fanbase's sometimes contradictory expectations. The hosts collectively argue that immediate threats to Thibbs' position lack substantial reasoning, especially given the team's recent successes and improvements.

• Alan Hahn concludes with a strong statement supporting Thibbs:
  "I am a firm believer in Tom Thibodeau as head coach... he’s more obsessed with the team than you are."
  (Timestamp: 23:18)

• Final Takeaway:

  • The consensus among the hosts is that Thibbs should be given the opportunity to lead the Knicks without the looming threat of dismissal based solely on playoff performance, emphasizing the need for patience and recognition of his contributions to the team's resurgence.

Notable Quotes

• Rick DiPietro:
  "If they lose in the first round... there is that chance"
  (07:20)

• Alan Hahn:
  "They have finally found stability. Finally, the first thing we gonna do is get rid of the guy that put this train back on the tracks."
  (08:59)

• Dave Rothenberg:
  "If they get bounced the first round, that's on Thibs."
  (07:49)

• Alan Hahn:
  "I am a firm believer in Tom Thibodeau as head coach... he’s more obsessed with the team than you are."
  (23:18)

Conclusion

This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg offers a compelling and nuanced discussion about the future of Tom Thibodeau with the New York Knicks. Through spirited debates, listener interactions, and comparative analyses, the hosts provide listeners with a comprehensive view of the factors influencing coaching decisions in professional sports. Whether you're a Knicks fan or a sports enthusiast, this episode delivers insightful perspectives on team dynamics, leadership, and the pressures of maintaining success in high-stakes environments.