Knicks owner James Dolan’s controversial decision to change coaches a year ago has paid off.
On Monday, the Knicks completed their sweep of the Cavaliers to clinch their first NBA Finals berth since 1999. They will play either the Spurs or defending champion Thunder for a chance to win their first NBA title since 1973.
New York did so behind first-year coach Mike Brown, who was hired after Dolan fired Tom Thibodeau last season after five years. Thibodeau helped pull the Knicks out of mediocrity and led the team to its first back-to-back 50-win seasons in decades and its first conference finals appearance since 2000.
At the time of his firing, the Knicks owed Thibodeau roughly $30 million from an extension he signed the previous season. New York hired longtime coach Mike Brown to replace Thibodeau.
“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” team president Leon Rose said in a statement announcing Thibodeau’s firing.
