Josh Hart, former players react to Knicks' Tom Thibodeau firing: 'Forever grateful'

Knicks relieved Thibodeau of coaching duties on Tuesday

6/4/2025, 12:15 AM
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The Knicks' firing of Tom Thibodeau shook the basketball world on Tuesday, and some current and former players joined the conversation around the fourth-winningest coach's ouster.

The most notable current player reaction came from Josh Hart. Hart joined Thibodeau's crew when the Knicks traded for the combo guard/forward in the middle of the 2022-23 season. Once the Thibodeau news was out, Hart took to social media to post a simple message for his coach: "Forever grateful. Thank you."

Under Thibs, Hart had his best seasons as a professional player. In his two-plus seasons in New York, Hart averaged 11.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. This past season saw Hart break the Knicks' franchise record for triple-doubles, and he even recorded the first Knicks postseason triple-double in more than 50 years.

While other current Knicks have yet to comment on the move, there were plenty of other reactions from around the basketball world. Ben Stiller, award-winning actor and die-hard Knicks fan, gave Thibodeau his flowers for making the Knicks "relevant again."

"I am a Tom Thibodeau fan. He brought this team back," he wrote on Tuesday. "I felt he gave every bit of himself and was always looking to improve. I will always be grateful for how far he brought the Knicks. They are relevant again. They are championship contenders again. The Knicks became winners again with him. Thank you COACH THIBS."

And then we had former Knicks shocked by the news.

Knicks legend Charles Oakley, who played for New York while Thibodeau was an assistant coach, was being interviewed by News10NBC in Rochester when the news dropped.

"I don't know who is gonna do a better job," Oakley said. "That's sad news, I like Thibs."

After the Knicks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, the organization will now have to find a coach who can do a better job.

Thibodeau went 226-174 in the regular season, and 24-23 in the playoffs in five seasons as the Knicks' head coach.

One former player has thrown their hat into the ring to coach the Knicks. Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, played just one season for the Knicks but has roots in New York as a Queensbridge native. He also excelled at the college level for St. John's en route to being a first-round draft pick in 1999.

Peace broke down his resume and why he believes he's the right man for the Knicks job. Other former NBA players have also shared their preferences.

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