Just three days after the New York Knicks were eliminated from the playoffs, they made the shocking decision fire their head coach, Tom Thibodeau. Coach Thibodeau spent the past five seasons as the head coach of the Knicks, leading them to the Eastern Conference finals this season for the first time in 25 years.
Despite Thibodeau's tenure of success, the two-time NBA Coach of the Year was let go by Knicks owner, James Dolan on Tuesday afternoon.
Thoughts, opinions, and reactions of the firing vary based on who's being asked, however, it led NBA headlines on Tuesday with the impending NBA Finals yet to get under way.
Among the reactions filled with shock and awe, was NBA Hall of Famer, Magic Johnson. Johnson, who is extremely active on X, took to social media to post his initial reaction to the firing.
"WOW WOW WOW. I can’t believe the NY Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was fired today after leading the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals! The biggest question is why was he fired? Now, who will be the next coach of the Knicks?" Johnson posted on his official X account.
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
© Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK
Johnson's reaction has garnered a lot of attention on social media.
"Most emotion you've ever shown on here." @jonathangosper posted on X.
One user on X questioned if Johnson has interest in coaching the Knicks, "You open to coaching them?"
Another user remembers a time when Johnson himself allegedly played a role in having one of his coaches fired, "Didn't you get Paul Westhead fired? lol"
"your tweets are hilarious man," @Lagbar28 said on X.
"Did AI write this?" @depressivehacks posted on X.
Coach Thibodeau's record during his five seasons with the Knicks was 226-174 (56.5%). He led the Knicks to the playoffs in four of the five seasons with the team. He departs the Knicks with reportedly $30 million remaining on his contract.