‘I’m Grateful That the Dream Has Develop into a Actuality’

After being fired a step shy of the NBA Finals, Tom Thibodeau opts for thankfulness over bitterness. One week after the New York Knicks‘ shock transfer to launch the veteran head coach, Thibodeau has spoken out—not in a press convention or tv look, however in a honest full-page New York Times commercial.

Instead of lashing out, the 67-year-old coach thanked the town that handed him his fantasy job in 2020.

Looking Back on a Renewed Knicks Era

Thibodeau’s tenure with the Knicks marked a major turnaround for the franchise. Under his management, New York made 4 playoff appearances and, most notably, reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025—a feat the crew hadn’t completed in 25 years.

“To the best city in the world with the best fans in the world: Thank you,” he instructed TMZ Sports. “When I was hired in 2020, I said this was my dream job. I am grateful that the dream has become a reality.”

The former Chicago Bulls head coach added that he was pleased with what the Knicks have completed. The most notable run of the crew was this 12 months’s marketing campaign to the Eastern Conference finals, their first look in 25 years.

For Tom Thibodeau, probably the most memorable factor about his keep in New York is “watching The Garden come alive with Knicks energy.”

Despite the emotional send-off, his exit has drawn controversy, notably from analysts and followers who imagine the dismissal was unwarranted, given the crew’s current achievements.

Backlash from NBA Analysts

Charles Barkley, by no means one to draw back from providing his opinion, criticized the Knicks’ entrance workplace for dismissing a “good coach” with no succession plan. On NBA TV, the Hall of Famer didn’t hesitate to say:

“The Knicks gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world. You don’t fire no good coach like that and don’t have a plan. Thibs did a hell of a job.”

Barkley’s anger resonates with numerous followers who had been left surprised by the transfer, notably following the Knicks’ furthest postseason push in years. To add insult, New York’s teaching course of has already run right into a brick wall—a number of candidates have already turned down interviews, together with Billy Donovan, after the Chicago Bulls refused to grant permission to interview him, based on Sports Illustrated.

Knicks Struggle to Fill the Coaching Void

As the Knicks transfer ahead with this essential offseason, questions stay about their plan. To dismiss a profitable coach with out having a professional alternative in place is a threat, one that might show pricey to the franchise when it comes to momentum.

The post-Thibodeau period can be a problem for Tom’s successor. It’s a bet for the Knicks, a worth they should pay.