Angry New York Knicks star Josh Hart has blasted Tom Thibodeau’s critics for ‘talking trash’ about the head coach in the wake of his shock firing.
Thibodeau was controversially axed by the Knicks last week after six years in charge, despite guiding them to a first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000 less than a month ago.
While many believe the decision was unjust after he made significant progress this year, reports have emerged suggesting the 67-year-old paid the price for making changes to his starting lineup and bench too late on in the season.
According to team insider Ian Begley, Thibodeau also did not scrimmage often or work on specific end-game situations over the course of the season.
Though amid speculation over what went wrong for him in New York, Hart has leapt to his former coach’s defense and branded the criticism of him ‘lame as hell’.
The shooting guard took to X on Thursday night and said: ‘All yall talking trash about Thibs lame as hell. A different direction was taken but yall should be appreciative for what he did for the team and organization’.
Angry New York Knicks star Josh Hart has blasted Tom Thibodeau’s ‘lame as hell’ critics
Thibodeau was fired by the Knicks last week despite inspiring their best season for 25 years
Hart, who spent three seasons under Thibodeau after being traded from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023, was also full of praise for ‘Thibs’ on the latest episode of his and teammate Jalen Brunson’s ‘The Roommates Show’ podcast.
‘I think we had a really good year. I think it didn’t end how we wanted it to end,’ he admitted about their Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Indiana Pacers.
‘Sometimes when the season doesn’t end how you want it, or how you expected it to, there’s always changes. Whether that’s coaches, players. Thibs was my sixth coach in eight years.
‘The NBA coaching profession is tough. Whenever you don’t finish how you wanted or expected, there’s always gonna be changes. That one is a tough one. I just think there should be nothing but praise for him and his time in New York.’
Brunson, meanwhile, stressed how grateful he is to Thibodeau for helping him become one of the most talented offensive players in the NBA today, having known each other since his dad Rick played for the Knicks while Tom was serving as an assistant coach.
‘This is my first firing,’ the two-time NBA All-Star point guard added. ‘Obviously, I’ve known him my entire life. But I remember having conversations and moments with him in eighth grade when we moved to Chicago and just to see where we are now, he helped me become a two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA.
‘The things he’s done for me, individually, I’m so grateful for. Just because he had the confidence in me that I knew I had, but like it’s great to see someone push it, push me to be better.
‘Obviously, I had my dad and he believes in me more than anyone. Him and my mom believe in me more than anyone.
Both Hart and star teammate Jalen Brunson were disappointed to see the head coach depart
‘To have Thibs to do what he did for my career, I’m just so grateful and thankful for. Not enough things can be said about what he’s meant to myself, my career.’
A week after he was brutally fired, Thibodeau broke his silence by taking out a full-page ad in the New York Times to address his Knicks exit on Wednesday.
‘To the best city in the world with the best fans in the world: Thank you,’ he wrote. ‘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.’
