Tom Thibodeau Breaks Silence After Getting Fired By Knicks

Tom Thibodeau has made his first comments since getting fired by the New York Knicks despite guiding the team to the conference finals this year for the first time since 2000. 

Thibodeau took out a full-page ad in The New York Times to thank the Knicks and their fans. 

“To the best city in the world with the best fans in the world: Thank you. When I was hired in 2020, I said this was my dream job. I am grateful that dream became a reality. Thank you to our players and coaching staff who gave everything they had, and to everyone who makes this franchise special.

“I am proud of everything we accomplished together, including four playoff appearances and this year’s run to the Eastern Conference finals-our first in 25 years. And to the fans, thank you for believing in me and embracing me from day one. Watching you support our team, and seeing the Garden ignite with that incomparable Knicks energy, is something I will never forget. With gratitude and respect, Tom Thibodeau.”

Thibodeau, who has coached the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves, was hired by the Knicks in 2020. He went 226-174 in the regular season and 24-23 in the postseason and won the 2021 Coach of the Year Award. 

One NBA exec told Hoops Wire that he wouldn’t be surprised if Karl-Anthony Towns played a big role in the Knicks’ firing of Thibodeau. 

“Who was on the Timberwolves when Thibs got fired in 2019? Who is KAT’s former agent (Leon Rose, who is now the president of the Knicks)? I wouldn’t be surprised at all if KAT told Leon and (James) Dolan during his exit interview that he didn’t want to play for Thibs anymore,” the NBA exec told Hoops Wire.

“Leon always listens to his players. That’s why he was beloved as an agent by all of his clients. Look, I don’t know this for sure, but if I were a betting man, I would bet a lot of money that KAT told Leon and Dolan that he didn’t want to play for Thibs anymore.

“They don’t have a good relationship. Thibs likes guys who defend at a high level and take accountability on that end. KAT has never done that. He doesn’t want to. He wants to save his energy for offense.”