The NBA world was stunned to hear that the Knicks had decided to part ways with their head coach, Tom Thibodeau, after their most successful NBA Playoffs run in over two decades. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1999. While the Knicks look for a replacement, their players are still reeling from parting ways with their beloved head coach.
Among the players, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart are the most vocal leaders of this team. They went on their podcast, the 'Roommates Show,' and expressed their feelings about Tom Thibodeau's firing.
“The landscape of the team, the organization, has changed obviously with Thibs being gone,” Hart said. “We wanted to give a shoutout to Thibs, especially for myself. He helped make me into the player that I am. I had a lot of instability in the early part of my career, and he kind of gave me that stability and that opportunity to flourish as a player in the league, as a starter in the league. I’m always gonna be forever grateful for him."
“Obviously, this is always a tough part of the NBA because you grow relationships not just on the court, but off the court and personal relationships. I always got love for him. It’s always tough when there is a coaching change.”
“This is my first firing. Obviously, I’ve known him my entire life. But I remember having conversations and moments with him in eighth grade when we moved to Chicago, and just to see where we are now, he helped me become a two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA," added Brunson.
"The things he’s done for me, individually, I’m so grateful for. Just because he had the confidence in me that I knew I had, but, like, it’s great to see someone push it, push me to be better. Obviously, I had my dad, and he believes in me more than anyone. Him and my mom believe in me more than anyone. To have Thibs to do what he did for my career, I’m just so grateful and thankful for. Not enough things can be said about what he’s meant to myself, my career,” Brunson further added.
“Especially now, people have their own perceptions of certain things, or the end of the season or whatever it is, but he took that job when the Knicks were just bums, 20 wins,” Hart said. “He got that job and was there for five years, made the playoffs four years, first Eastern Conference finals for 25 years, and he helped Knicks basketball go back into the top level in the league. He should get a lot of credit for the foundation that he built.”
“I think we had a really good year. I think it didn’t end how we wanted it to end. Sometimes when the season doesn’t end how you want it, or how you expected it to, there’s always changes, whether that’s coaches, players," said Hart as he pondered the rationale behind this move by the front office.
"Thibs was my sixth coach in eight years. The NBA coaching profession is tough. Whenever you don’t finish how you wanted or expected, there’s always gonna be changes. That one is a tough one. I just think there should be nothing but praise for him and his time in New York.”
Hart and Brunson were clearly very fond of Thibodeau for everything he did for them in his career. Especially Brunson, who flourished under his tutelage. Brunson went from a player averaging 16 points per game to a player averaging 25 points on a nightly basis under Thibodeau's guidance. He also became a two-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA team member. Brunson owes a lot of his career to Thibodeau's confidence in him.
Josh Hart Vents Frustration Online After Knicks Fire Tom Thibodeau
Following the episode, Hart even took to social media and let out his frustration on Thibodeau's critics after his firing.
"All y'all talking trash about Thibs lame as hell. A different direction was taken but yall should be appreciative for what he did for the team and organization,"wrote Hart on X.
Following the Knicks' exit in the Eastern Conference Finals, several media members criticized Tom Thibodeau for his coaching strategies being ancient, too stagnant, and ineffective for the modern game. Hart took those comments personally and let them know how much the Knicks organization valued Thibodeau.
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