The New York Knicks ran out of magic (figuratively and maybe even literally) in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, falling to the Indiana Pacers and seeing their NBA title hopes go down in flames.
The series got off to a brutal start as the Knicks started fell in a 2-0 hole, losing both of their first two games at home. Despite winning Game 3 in Indianapolis, the Pacers took back Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead. The Knicks gave fans hope by winning Game 5 at MSG, but lost 125-108 on Saturday night.
While many Knicks fans are optimistic that the team has a core of players that can bring them back in 2026, there is a very large – and growing – contingent of fans who believe that one person cannot be a part of it: Head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Despite bringing the Knicks closer to the Finals than they’ve been since Patrick Ewing era, Thibodeau seems to keep hitting a wall in the playoffs. He’s been criticized extensively for his personnel usage and game management.
Now, despite him being one of the architects of the team’s playoff run this year, fans have had enough of him:
“I never wanna see Thibs coach an NBA game ever in life again…” one fan declared on X after the game.
“I appreciate everything Thibs has done to turn the Knicks around, but the front office needs to take a real look at Mike Malone this offseason,” another suggested.
“Thibs cannot coach a team to win it all. hart cant play more than 15 minutes on a team looking to win it all,” a third wrote, referring to Josh Hart.
“Thibs has to go. He doesn’t know how to make adjustments. We can’t have another person bring up the ball and run Brunson and Bridges through some screens. On the defensive end they weren’t up to par. We got outplayed and outcoached.”
“For all of you who are saying ‘Fire Thibs, and hire who? This is the furthest we’ve gotten…xyz.’ You don’t stay in a toxic relationship just because it’s been your longest relationship and you finally had some “first experiences” with that person!”
Do you think Thibodeau has worn out his welcome in New York?
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