The Knicks shocked the basketball world earlier this week, firing head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Thibodeau helped turn the organization around -- leading them to the playoffs four times during his five seasons at the helm, including this year when they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Still, ownership and the front office decided it was time to move in a different direction.

According to SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley, player input during their end of season meetings with owner James Dolan in attendance was a factor in the ultimate decision to move on from Thibodeau.

Players were respectful of the veteran coach, who they have a great deal of respect and admiration for, but they also pointed out in those meetings that there were things Thibodeau did that could be improved.

They'll look for those things to change under their next head coach -- who will be the 32nd in franchise history.

Who that will be remains to be seen, but numerous candidates have been mentioned over the past few days.

According to Begley, Houston’s Ime Udoka, Minnesota’s Chris Finch, and Dallas’ Jason Kidd are among the coaches currently under contract who the Knicks have degrees of interest in.

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