The New York Knicks saw their season come to an end this past weekend after losing Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Indiana Pacers. Although the team went on an impressive run that had fans dreaming of the NBA Finals, they fell just short.
However, the biggest surprise came days later: on Tuesday, the organization announced the firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau. This decision sent shockwaves through the basketball world, considering Thibodeau had brought the Knicks back into the spotlight and led them to the playoffs in four of his five seasons at the helm.
Strong reactions across the NBA
The firing sparked a wave of reactions from fans, analysts, and sports legends. Many are questioning the logic behind the move, especially considering this is the team’s most successful era in over two decades. One of the most surprised voices was Magic Johnson.
“WOW WOW WOW!” Johnson wrote on social media. “I can’t believe the Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau after taking them to the Eastern Conference Finals! The big question is: why did they do it? And now, who will be the next head coach of the Knicks?”
Thibodeau, the architect of the rebuild
Thibodeau took over the Knicks’ bench in 2020 and immediately improved the team, taking them to the playoffs in his first season. Although they were eliminated in the first round and missed the playoffs the following year, New York showed steady progress under his leadership.
In the two seasons prior to this one, the Knicks reached the conference semifinals. This year, they went a step further, defeating the Detroit Pistons in the first round and then eliminating the defending champions in the second round.
An ending that wasn’t enough
With Thibodeau at the helm, the Knicks became a competitive team capable of challenging even top-tier rivals like the Boston Celtics. Against all odds, they reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, ultimately falling to the Indiana Pacers.
Despite this historic achievement, the Knicks’ front office decided it was time for a change. The future of the team’s bench is now uncertain as New York begins the search for its next head coach.
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