Charles Barkley slams Knicks management for firing Tom Thibodeau without a proper coaching search plan

The New York Knicks have shocked the basketball community and fans of the franchise by sacking head coach Tom Thibodeau, just days after he led the team to their first NBA Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years.

Knicks management announced their decision to fire Thibodeau in the early hours of Wednesday, June 4 (Philippine Standard Time), shortly after New York’s Game 6 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

However, the Knicks’ search for a new head coach is not going well. Their attempts to speak with the front offices of the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, and Atlanta Hawks about hiring their head coaches have been denied by every single team.

These failed efforts have drawn criticism from NBA legend Charles Barkley, who is known for his outspoken views. The 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) did not hold back, saying the Knicks “gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world.”

“The Knicks gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world. You don’t fire a good coach like that (Tom Thibodeau) and not have a plan. I mean, Thibs did a hell of a job. Obviously, something’s going on there. You’ve got to have a plan, man. I don’t know what the hell they are going to do,” Barkley said.

“The Knicks gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world.”

— Charles Barkley. 🤣

(h/t @ClutchPoints)

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— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 12, 2025

The decision to sack Thibodeau came despite him leading the Knicks to a 51-win regular season—the franchise’s highest win total in over a decade—and signing a contract extension as recently as 2024. The Knicks reportedly still owe him at least $30 million under that deal.

The 67-year-old was appointed Knicks head coach in 2020 and spent five seasons with the team, leading them to the playoffs four times and compiling a 226–174 win-loss record. Notably, only three coaches in franchise history have won more games than Thibodeau since the Knicks were established in 1946.

Before joining the Knicks, Thibodeau held head coaching roles with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. He was named NBA Coach of the Year twice—in 2011 and 2021—and also won an NBA championship in 2008 as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics.

It remains to be seen how the Knicks’ coaching search will unfold, especially as most top-tier coaches are already under contract. They may eventually have to turn to a relative unknown or someone unproven at the highest level.

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