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Par Mathieu Seguin | Rédacteur sport
Despite being considered the favorites, the Knicks fell to the Pacers for the last time on Saturday. The franchise can’t cope, and while the coach is being targeted, one player is the subject of internal debate, according to The Athletic.
Well placed in the Eastern Conference this season, the Knicks won’t have the chance to fight for the championship. The franchise was considered the favorite for this Eastern Conference final, but the Pacers were the better team at the finish, buoyed by a super Pascal Siakam who finished MVP of this small final.
Opposite? There will be regrets for the New York franchise. Tom Thibodeau’s men have made too many mistakes in important moments, with ball losses and questionable decisions. Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns will have their work cut out for them over the summer, and there are plenty of rumours to go around.
What next for the Knicks after the defeat?
Fans are already calling for Tom Thibodeau’s departure. It has to be said that the coach hasn’t exactly shone in these playoffs, and particularly in this series. And for others, a major change at pivot is necessary, as Towns is being targeted by fans… but not only, according to The Athletic.
Is all well in the locker room? That’s not confirmed at this stage, as the atmosphere is said to be problematic according to the mainstream media. At issue is Towns, not renowned for being the best defender in history, and this has shown in this postseason. His habits are problematic and some of the Knicks don’t like it.
The Athletic : “Publicly, Knicks players made veiled comments all season about poor communication causing their inconsistencies. Behind the scenes, they and coaches expressed frustration with Towns’ defensive habits — less concerned with his talent level and more with his process on that end. Too often, Towns executed incorrect coverages without communicating why he did it. After it became a theme, players worried Towns didn’t grasp the importance of the matter.”
Internal problems for the Knicks and questions about Towns on defense. Needless to say, this is a big deal, especially when the coach is Thibodeau. It remains to be seen whether this soap opera will be settled this summer, or whether a departure is possible.
