A Strange Trend in the NBA
A bizarre pattern has taken hold in the NBA—one that calls into question the value of success and stability in coaching. Every NBA Coach of the Year from 2018 to 2023 has now been fired, the latest being New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, who led his team to the Eastern Conference Finals just this year. Despite sustained improvement and postseason appearances, Thibodeau joined a growing list of respected coaches shown the door far too soon.
Winners Can’t Even Win
Winning used to mean job security. Now, it’s just a stop on the road to unemployment. Mike Budenholzer, Monty Williams, Nick Nurse, and Frank Vogel all won championships or reached 60-win seasons—and all were eventually dismissed. Even Michael Malone, who led Denver to a title in 2023, couldn’t survive a less dominant season. That’s not just rare; it’s unprecedented.
Chasing Stability in an Era of Change
The NBA’s current landscape is defined by parity—six different champions in six seasons show that dynasties are no longer the norm. Yet, many front offices still operate under the illusion of linear growth, demanding that each year top the last. When a team stalls or slightly regresses, the head coach often becomes the scapegoat, regardless of injuries or roster flaws.
Coaching changes are seen as the quickest path to improvement, but recent examples suggest otherwise. The Kings dismissed Mike Brown after a modest dip, only to underperform under Doug Christie. The Bucks parted ways with Mike Budenholzer, then cycled through Adrian Griffin and Doc Rivers—all while regressing further. In a league built on volatility, franchises continue to seek fast answers to slow problems.
Scapegoats of a Shifting System
Coaches have become the convenient fall guys for problems they didn’t create. Frank Vogel wasn’t responsible for the Lakers’ ill-fated roster trades. Michael Malone didn’t dismantle Denver’s veteran depth. Yet both paid the price. Instead of owning missteps, front offices often fire the coach and reframe the narrative, hoping fans focus on change rather than accountability.
But what’s being lost in the process? In today’s unforgiving climate, how many future great coaches are dismissed before they find their footing? Would Gregg Popovich or Erik Spoelstra have been given the time to build in this era of instant results? Nevertheless, the coaching hot seat is getting hotter and hotter in a faster pace, unsuspecting time in the league.