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The term “loyalty” seems to be foreign to everyone in the NBA, since it affects more than just players. After the 2024-25 season, the New York Knicks thought that head coach Tom Thibodeau‘s time with the franchise was up. Following an impressive campaign where Thibs led the team to the third seed and the Eastern Conference finals, the Knicks believe they have a better chance at winning a championship with a different leader.
It came as a surprise to many fans. Even though the Knicks had a difficult start to his tenure, the veteran head coach remained with the team for five seasons. New York started to achieve success when they signed Jalen Brunson, who emerged as an All-Star under Thibs.
Through the five years he spent with the team, the one-time champion had a 226-174 record. Thibs also led the team to four playoff appearances, including their return to the conference finals. It was the first time the Knicks were in the third round of the postseason since 2000.
On Sunday, his former player, Derrick Rose, attended the NASCAR In-Season Tournament, which took place in Chicago. Rose was asked about his thoughts on the firing of his former head coach, with whom he shares a special bond.
According to him, Thibs is in “good spirits” despite being let go by the New York Knicks.
“I talked to Thibs after (he got fired), he’s good,” Rose said. “I think you can’t be mad when you’re walking away with $30 million. You can’t be too sorry for him, but he’s in good spirits. Yeah, that’s my guy. … He’s good. Jalen’s still in New York, he’s gonna be balling. Everybody wins, I feel like.”
Former NBA MVP and #NASCARChicago grand marshal Derrick Rose was asked today about his reaction to the Knicks firing Tom Thibodeau. The two had a long relationship and Rose played on his Knicks teams at the end of his career.
Says Thibs is in good spirits and "you can't be mad… pic.twitter.com/vhnTuuMytb
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) July 6, 2025
Rose played for Thibs during his prime, and when he won the season MVP in 2011 with the Chicago Bulls. Since then, the two have developed a close bond on and off the court.
A former head coach claims the New York Knicks made a mistake in firing Tom Thibodeau
Former head coach Stan Van Gundy did not hold back when he talked about the New York Knicks’ mistake in firing Thibodeau. In a recent appearance on “Nothing Personal with David Samson,” Van Gundy expressed how the Knicks made one of the biggest mistakes of the offseason.
“So, next up on the list: the Knicks made a mistake by getting rid of Tom Thibodeau,” the former head coach of the Orlando Magic said. “Yeah, they totally did. That was a big mistake. Tom Thibodeau—one of the best coaches in this league—did an unbelievable job with that team this year.”
Van Gundy explained that Thibs maximized the roster, pushing stars and role players to excel in their way. He also said that the New York Knicks’ decision made no sense to him.
More must-reads:
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