Knicks executive vice president William Wesley. And in conversations with Knicks owner James Dolan this month, Wesley has been laying the blame for the season – at least in part – on Thibodeau’s coaching, per SNY sources.
Tag: William Wesley
Does that mean Thibodeau will be fired …
Does that mean Thibodeau will be fired during the All-Star break? I don’t know the answer to that question. As stated previously, I would be a bit surprised if he were let go at this point. But stranger things have happened in pro sports. The idea that Wesley is privately citing Thibodeau’s coaching as a significant factor behind New York’s struggles is noteworthy.
But Wesley’s criticism of Thibodeau …
But Wesley’s criticism of Thibodeau suggests that the coach and management are not on the same page. And it suggests that Thibodeau and the front office are not functioning properly. Something else that suggests the front office and Thibodeau are not in lock step? The coach’s reaction at the trade deadline. Once it was clear that the Knicks weren’t making any trades on Feb. 10, Thibodeau was angry, per SNY sources. He believed that the roster would benefit from an upgrade, those sources say.
Since he came on as coach, Thibodeau …
Since he came on as coach, Thibodeau has been consulted on personnel moves. Some people who have done business with the team in the past year believe Wesley and Brock Aller – the club’s vice president of basketball and strategic planning — have significant input on team decisions. Thibodeau’s opinion is considered, they say, but management has made several significant personnel decisions that didn’t align with Thibodeau’s thinking.
One NBA source said the Knicks’ best …
One NBA source said the Knicks’ best chance of attracting Lillard’s interest would’ve been signing swingman DeMar DeRozan in the offseason instead of Fournier. Lillard and DeRozan are friends, and Knicks general manager Scott Perry wanted to look closer at that scenario but the team’s top decision-maker, William Wesley, thought DeRozan was closer to being washed up than being an All-Star. DeRozan had four straight games of 35 points or more entering Saturday and will be heading back to the All-Star Game next weekend. With the Knicks in 12th place and five games under .500, they don’t hold the same appeal for Lillard, according to a source, as they did last season, when they were the success story of the NBA.
According to a source, Thibodeau wasn’t …
According to a source, Thibodeau wasn’t high on the Walker signing. The Post has previously reported he wasn’t all-in on the Reddish trade, either. Thibodeau admitted in Denver on Tuesday that he’s not involved until a deal gets close. Word around the league since preseason has been the team’s brass is not on the same page, that there are too man cooks in the kitchen with Rose, William Wesley, Scott Perry and Thibodeau.
Oakley had never spoken to Dolan before …
Oakley had never spoken to Dolan before William Wesley, aka “Worldwide Wes,” facilitated an introduction during the 2014 All-Star weekend, according to Oakley’s new book, ‘The Last Enforcer.’ Oakley was hanging with LeBron James and his agent in New Orleans when Wesley, then an unofficial advisor and now a top Knicks executive, approached the group. “Wes had a falling out with LeBron over something shady that happened with (LeBron’s agent) Rich Paul. I don’t know the details, but I think Rich felt Wes had tried to f— him over,” Oakley wrote in his book, which was released Tuesday and co-authored by former Daily News reporter Frank Isola. “When Wes approached us. …Rich didn’t want to talk to him. He wouldn’t even shake his hand. So Wes turned to me instead and asked me if I wanted to come to this back room (to meet Dolan).”
Along with those firms, more than 90 …
Along with those firms, more than 90 individual investors took part in the funding round, including Jordan and fellow retired NBA star Allen Iverson, plus current players like Kevin Love and Joel Embiid. New York Knicks Executive Vice President William Wesley also participated, along with entrepreneur Shari Glazer, DJ duo The Chainsmokers’ Mantis VC firm, and more.
According to multiple sources, Rose and …
According to multiple sources, Rose and adviser William Wesley have played it very conservatively since after acquiring Derrick Rose from the Pistons nearly a year ago. The Knicks’ brass loved the team’s camaraderie, chemistry and record and didn’t want to mess with what they had built. They were all but silent at the trade deadline last season.
Given Payne’s salary at Kentucky, it’s …
Given Payne’s salary at Kentucky, it’s safe to assume that the Knicks would have to make a generous offer procure the coach. Would that set the market internally for what they’d have to pay other Thibodeau assistants? That’s unclear, but something worth keeping in mind as the Knicks put a staff together. Payne, as previously noted, has a close relationship with top Knicks executive William Wesley and has other ties to the Knicks organization. He has been known to coach big men at Kentucky, including Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns. “KP is one of the best development coaches in the world,” Towns told The Athletic last year. “KP is the horse beneath the jockey driving Kentucky basketball.”