Tom Thibodeau finally broke his silence after the New York Knicks shockingly fired him last week following their most successful season in 25 years.
In what was celebrated as a “classy move,” Thibodeau took a full-page ad in the New York Times to thank the Knicks fans, but there was no mention of James Dolan or team president Leon Rose, who decided to fire him.
“To the best city in the world with the best fans in the world: Thank you,” Thibodeau wrote.
“When I was hired in 2020, I said this was my dream job. I am grateful that dreams 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.”
Thibodeau, 67, left the Knicks as their fourth all-time winningest coach with 226 wins, trailing only Jeff Van Gundy (248), Joe Lapchick (326) and two-time champion coach Red Holzman (613). The Knicks made the playoffs in four of Thibodeau’s five years at the helm. He is also the first coach to guide the Knicks to consecutive 50-win seasons since Pat Riley in the 1994-95 season.
Thibodeau instilled accountability and built a winning culture that ended an eight-year playoff drought in his first season as the head coach and peaked with their Eastern Conference Finals loss to their longtime rivals Indiana Pacers this season.
Tom Thibodeau’s Costly Firing
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks will pay Thibodeau a substantial amount of money even after his firing.
“Worth noting: Knicks owe Tom Thibodeau at least $30 million guaranteed on his recently signed extension, per sources. Also worth noting: NYK won a playoff series in 3 straight years under Thibodeau: from 2001 to 2020, they won just 1 series. He built a winning foundation here,” Begley wrote on X.
Knicks owner James Dolan isn’t new to doling out boatloads of money after messy breakups with his coaching and executive hires.
In 2006, Dolan paid Larry Brown $18.5 million in a settlement after the legendary coach still had four years, $40 million remaining on his contract when the Knicks fired him.
In 2017, Dolan also paid Phil Jackson $20.5 million after firing him as team president three years into his five-year, $60 million contract.
Knicks’ Decision a Shock to Everyone
Thibodeau’s firing came on the heels of franchise star Jalen Brunson vouching for his support for the veteran coach during his final interview after their playoff exit.
Brunson was not having it when asked if Thibodeau was still the “right guy” to lead them after their disappointing 4-2 series loss to the Pacers.
“Is that a real question right now? You just asked me if I believe he’s the right guy,” Brunson told reporters following the Knicks’ 125-108 Game 6 loss to the Pacers on May 31.
“Yes. Come on,” he added.
A few days later, the Knicks fired Thibodeau.
The decision was a shock to everyone, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“My phone is blowing up right now with executives, everyone around the league just stunned,” Charania said on “SportsCenter” after breaking the news. “But every player on this next roster, you felt like overperformed. … But clearly the Knicks did not feel like Tom Thibodeau was going to be the coach to take them over the top.”
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