The New York Knicks showed a lack of confidence in their leadership by firing head coach Tom Thibodeau just three days after their playoff elimination. The decision came swiftly and left the franchise in a difficult position.
With Thibodeau out, the Knicks now face the critical task of finding a new head coach. However, their efforts have stumbled so far. Ahead of Game 3 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, NBA analyst Charles Barkley didn’t hold back in criticizing the Knicks for their apparent lack of direction during the coaching search.
“The Knicks gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world. Don’t have a plan. You don’t have a plan? You gotta have a plan, man. They don’t have a plan,” Barkley said.
“The Knicks gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world.”
— Charles Barkley.
(h/t @ClutchPoints)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 12, 2025
NBA fans quickly reacted to Barkley’s criticism of the Knicks’ apparent lack of direction in the head coach search. Fans had plenty to say about the Knicks franchise, and plenty of them supported Barkley.
“He’s right tho,” one fan wrote.
He’s right tho
— Kaden (@PlayoffKaden) June 12, 2025
“Agreed, no team in their right mind would allow their head coach to go to a team that will be an automatic contender next season,” another fan echoed the same thought.
Agreed, no team in their right mind would allow their head coach to go to a team that will be an automatic contender next season.
— Joe’s Watch (He/Haw) (@PaTroll21) June 12, 2025
Another added, “Knicks really fired Thibs without a backup plan Beyond cooked.”
Knicks really fired Thibs without a backup plan
Beyond cooked
— Tak ️ (@TheTakMaeda) June 12, 2025
“The Knicks front office has no idea how to run a team,” one comment read.
The Knicks front office has no idea how to run a team
— Tony G (@TGTatum4_3) June 12, 2025
One particular bold prediction read, “98% chance they are NOT better next year. No matter who coaches.”
98% chance they are NOT better next year. No matter who coaches
— Marc (@CamattiMarc) June 12, 2025
Trae Young Clowns Knicks Over Failed Attempt To Interview Quin Snyder
Barkley isn’t alone in his criticism. Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young also chimed in after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Knicks had tried and failed to interview his team’s head coach. Young’s blunt reaction came in a simple post on X.
‘”Hell nahh,” Young wrote.
According to reports, the Knicks are 0-4 in their attempts to get permission to speak with coaching candidates since Thibodeau’s dismissal. One of their initial targets was Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, but the Mavericks turned down the request.
The Knicks also tried to reach out to Atlanta Hawks coach Quin Snyder, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, and Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka. Unfortunately, each of these teams also refused to grant interviews. Interestingly, the Milwaukee Bucks allowed the Knicks to interview Doc Rivers, but New York chose not to pursue that opportunity.