Thibodeau's personality and decision-making caused irreparable damage in public relations. Attendance sank lower and lower, and fans continued to boo him during introductions.
The Timberwolves’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau midseason after two consecutive wins came as a shock to many inside and outside the organization. Yes, indeed, the timing of his dismissal was surprising.
What took them so long?
Thibodeau’s ouster was inevitable after his bungled handling of the Jimmy Butler fiasco. Team executives already knew they had a “Thibs problem” going back to last season when the Wolves finally ended a lengthy playoff drought and yet everyone seemed miserable and Thibodeau’s popularity with fans couldn’t plummet any lower.