The New York Knicks just enjoyed one of the best seasons in recent memory. They entered the NBA Playoffs as the No. 3 seed and faced the Detroit Pistons in the first round.
After defeating the Pistons in six games, many thought the Boston Celtics would have their number, as the Knicks failed to beat the Celtics in the regular season. But all of that went out the window when the Knicks completed multiple comebacks before knocking off the defending champions. The Indiana Pacers proved to be too much to handle, as the Knicks fell 4-2.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Jan 10, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shakes hands with New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau as he exits the game during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Rick Carlisle gets honest after Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau
While some would view the Knicks making the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years a successful season, others didn't think so, including the Knicks' upper brass.
On Tuesday, the Knicks shocked many around the NBA when they announced that they were firing head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons with the team.
While the Indiana Pacers prepare for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, head coach Rick Carlisle shared his honest opinion on Thibodeau's firing.
"I'm at a loss to explain it," Carlise, the President of the Coaches Association, said. " This is something I didn't believe was possible. But ownerships in the NBA have the right to make these decisions unilaterally.
"When we get into coaching, we understand that there are dynamic and difficult elements of the business, but the job that Tom did there after a lot of lean years, and I mean a lot of lean years, completely changed the culture."
Many will continue to monitor the situation regarding the Knicks' vacancy at head coach. Who they choose to bring in and interview for the position will no doubt be a subject of conversation as we progress into the offseason.