The New York Knicks have been shredded by a veteran rival coach for a controversial choice the franchise made this summer.
After posting a 51-31 record and advancing to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000, everything seemed to be trending up for the Knicks heading into the 2025 offseason.
Behind the stellar play of All-NBA standouts Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, All-Defensive Team forwards OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, rim-protecting center Mitchell Robinson and versatile two-way wing Josh Hart, New York appeared poised to capitalize on a flurry of injuries that seem to have left the East wide open.
With the best players on each of the conference's last two Finals teams, All-NBA Third Team Indiana Pacers point guard and All-NBA First Team Boston Celtics power forward Jayson Tatum, likely out for the entire 2025-26 season after suffering Achilles tendon tears in the playoffs, a window of opportunity has emerged for recently revamped also-rans like the Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks.
Still, New York opted to make a major coaching change despite their exciting season, firing head coach Tom Thibodeau after five largely successful seasons.
The 67-year-old veteran coach, who'll now make $35 million to not coach the team, was let go because the team was "singularly focused on winning a championship," per team president - and Thibodeau's former agent - Leon Rose.
New York replaced Thibodeau with another former two-time Coach of the Year, Mike Brown.
During a recent interview with former Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe on his "Club Shay Shay" podcast, L.A. Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue revealed how he felt about Thibodeau's firing.
"Should he have been fired? Hell no," Lue said. "It's the first time they've been to the conference finals in 25 years. The city was on fire, the fans were on fire. The players did a hell of a job. And Thibs did a hell of a job."
Knicks clubs under Thibodeau posted a 226-174 regular season record and a 24-23 playoff record. He led New York to four playoff series wins during his five seasons with the franchise.
"To take a team to their first Conference Finals in 25 years and then get fired, it just doesn't make sense," Lue added.
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