Charles Barkley is far from impressed with the New York Knicks.
The NBA legend, who is never one to mince his words, hit out at the franchise for failing to put together a plan for their head coach search.
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Barkley has ripped into the Knicks for failing to put together a planCredit: Getty
New York fired Tom Thibodeau last week in a shock move, after he led the team to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.
They have reportedly been requesting meetings with coaches of several other NBA teams, all of which have been rejected.
On Wednesday morning, the Dallas Mavericks became the latest to rebuff the Knicks, denying their request to speak with Jason Kidd.
He joins Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka and Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch as those whose teams have denied permission to interview.
News of New York’s latest setback broke ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals, and left Barkley bemused.
“The Knicks gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world,” he began, speaking from Indiana, where the Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Like, you don’t fire a good coach like that and don’t have a plan. I mean, Thibs did a hell of a job.
“Obviously, something’s going on there, but you don’t have a plan, and now, the three coaches turn you down.
“You gotta have a plan, man. And they don’t have a plan. Now… I mean, I don’t know what the hell they are going to do.”
ESPN insider Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that the Knicks also requested to speak to Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, but were ‘firmly denied’.
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The Knicks had a request to speak to Mavs coach Kidd turned downCredit: GETTY
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Barkley was left bemused the an apparent lack of plan in New YorkCredit: NBA TV
After he shared that news on social media website X, Hawks star Trae Young responded with a simple message, writing ‘hell nahh.’
Later in the evening, it was also reported by Chicago insider KC Johnson that the Bulls have also turned down a request from the Knicks to speak with Billy Donovan.
New York have now been denied permission by five NBA teams, and appear a long way off finding their new head coach.
Barkley, who also lit up Pacers stars ahead of Game 3, is perhaps right to slam the franchise for their decision to move on from Thibodeau, especially if there isn’t a solid plan in place to find his successor.
The team said last week that they had made the ‘difficult decision’ to relieve the two-time coach of the year from his duties, believing it was a necessary step in their chase for a championship.
“We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach,” Knicks president Leon Rose said in a statement on June 3.
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Thibodeau was relieved of his duties despite leading the Knicks to the East FinalsCredit: Getty
“He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories.
“Ultimately we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward.
“Tom will always be a part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
Thibodeau made the playoffs in four of his five seasons with the Knicks, and last summer was rewarded with a three-year contract extension.
New York Knicks star Josh Hart gets spotted having explosive row with Tom Thibodeau during timeout
He went 226-174 in his five years with the team and enjoyed his most successful campaign in 2024-25.
Thibodeau led the Knicks to a 51-31 finish, and the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
New York defeated the Detroit Pistons 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs, and the Boston Celtics 4-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, before losing 4-2 to the Indiana Pacers in the East Finals.