Josh Hart wants fans, critics to be more appreciative of Tom Thibodeau

Josh Hart wants fans, critics to be more appreciative of Tom Thibodeau

The New York Knicks moved on from Tom Thibodeau in late May, a move that drew some controversy around the NBA.

Thibodeau, 67, helped establish a tough culture in his five seasons with New York, improving the team’s win total in each of the last five seasons. He also helped lead the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years last month, but the organization ultimately thought it was best to move in a different direction.

While Thibodeau was far from perfect, current Knicks wing Josh Hart wants fans and critics to be more appreciative of his former head coach.

“All yall talking trash about Thibs lame as hell,” Hart tweeted Thursday. “A different direction was taken but yall should be appreciative for what he did for the team and organization.”

All yall talking trash about Thibs lame as hell. A different direction was taken but yall should be appreciative for what he did for the team and organization

— Josh Hart (@joshhart) June 12, 2025

While a few Knicks players reportedly had complaints about Thibodeau behind closed doors, Hart and star guard Jalen Brunson, who’s known him since he was a kid, were two ardent supporters.

“I think we had a really good year. I think it didn’t end how we wanted it to end. Sometimes when the season doesn’t end how you want it, or how you expected it to, there’s always changes,” Josh Hart said recently on “The Roommates Show” podcast. “The NBA coaching profession is tough. Whenever you don’t finish how you wanted or expected, there’s always gonna be changes. That one is a tough one. I just think there should be nothing but praise for him and his time in New York.”

“Obviously, I’ve known him my entire life,” Brunson said. “But I remember having conversations and moments with him in eighth grade when we moved to Chicago and just to see where we are now, he helped me become a two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA (honoree). … To have Thibs to do what he did for my career, I’m just so grateful and thankful for. Not enough things can be said about what he’s meant to myself, my career.

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We know those two don’t have many bad things to say about the longtime head coach, who departs with a 226-174 record in five years with the Knicks.

New York is still sifting through possible candidates for the next man to lead the charge. Thibodeau is a good coach, but I don’t think he’s the guy who would’ve elevated this team, constructed to try and win a title, to win a title.

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