The New York Knicks made arguably one of the toughest decisions in the offseason by firing head coach Tom Thibodeau after five years with the team.
In his time as coach, the franchise ended their eight year long wait for a place in the playoffs and also got into the Conference Finals after 25 long years.
Jalen Brunson defended the coach after the Knicks’ loss in the Conference Finals to the Indiana Pacers.
Stephen A. Smith unleashed his fury at the organization for the way they went about with the decision.
While there have been several reasons reported since his firing, not all of them make a lot of sense due to the success he achieved with the New York Knicks.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesRachel Nichols believes the Knicks pulled a Luka Doncic-esque move while firing Thibs
The Luka Doncic trade to the LA Lakers is arguably the biggest story the NBA has seen in recent years.
Dallas Mavericks‘ General Manager Nico Harrison made some comments to address the trade, which further angered the fans and led to them calling for his firing at games.
Broadcaster Rachel Nichols believes the Knicks’ excuse for firing Tom Thibodeau was almost like the Doncic trade.
Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images
Speaking on Sports Illustrated, she said: “They got to the Conference Finals and went to six games. So if you want to know whether the strategy works, yeah, it works. It worked. It happened.
“Like this is what drove me, I mean, we don’t have to relitigate Thibodeau, but the complaints we heard afterward, filter out is sort of justifications for why he got fired, it kind of felt like with the Mavs and the Luka trade.
“Thibs didn’t run enough end of game scenarios during training camp, that’s what was one of the gripes against him.
“Any of the quibbles with Thibs are only on paper. When you look at his track record, and every year in New York, what he did.”
Thibodeau will find a new job soon
All teams currently have coaches and made important hires to their supporting roles, which is why it is hard to believe Thibodeau will find a role as early as this offseason.
But he will be expected to be on the shortlist for the next available job as Thibodeau is one of the best coaches in the NBA.
He has a proven track record of improving teams, since his first stint with the Chicago Bulls.
A common criticism of Thibs is his lack of willingness to use a larger rotation.
“He changed the culture…Going to the ECF for the first time in a long time…He did a great job there. I don’t know, at the end of the day the Knicks had to do what’s best for them. For me…Thibs was a great coach”
–– Isaiah Hartenstein on Knicks firing Tom Thibodeau pic.twitter.com/AKthLYtK9Q
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) July 4, 2025
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While it is a valid problem, he has thrived coaching in a similar way throughout his career and achieved great results.
His ability to push the players to the limits and lead sides with long absences into the playoffs are qualities teams would love.
He earned a big paycheck after the firing from the Knicks and would not be rushing to return, but once he does, Thibs could be the coach of a championship-contending roster.