On the sixtieth episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ react to the end of the Tom Thibodeau era in New York. After years of disciplined defense, rigid rotations, and a clearly defined floor, the Knicks have officially moved on from Thibs—and for Hot Hand Theory, this moment has been building all season. We’ve been among the loudest voices arguing that Thibs, for all his strengths, would ultimately cap this team’s ceiling. Now, the front office agrees.

In this episode, we break down why the firing finally happened, the patterns that led to it, and what’s at stake in the Knicks’ next move. This isn’t just a reaction. It’s the culmination of everything we’ve been saying all year.

We cover:

🔹 Why Thibodeau’s rigidity and lack of lineup experimentation doomed the Knicks

🔹 The shocking usage stats around Deuce McBride, Hart, and Mitchell Robinson

🔹 How Karl-Anthony Towns and five-out lineups were underused all season

🔹 What the data tells us about the Knicks’ real championship window

🔹 The massive risk the front office took—and why we respect it

🔹 Who the Knicks should target as their next head coach (Johnnie Bryant? Dave Bliss?)

🔹 How “process over results” finally won out in New York

💬 Let us know in the comments: Was this the right call? Who should be next? And do you finally believe this team is chasing a title, not just respectability? We respond to EVERY single comment!

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