Stephen A's Take: Shock & Outrage – Smith was stunned by the firing, questioning why Knicks' Coach Tom Thibodeau was let go! - The Stephen A. Smith Show

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Stephen A. Smith (0:00)

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Stephen A. Smith (1:05)

VGW Group void where prohibited by law 21 + terms and conditions apply. What Tom Thibodeau Fired. What the what's up everybody? Welcome to the latest edition of the Stephen A. Smith Show. Coming at you as I love to do at the very least three times a week over the digital airwaves of YouTube and of course iHeartRadio. As always, I'd like to take a moment to thank my subscribers and followers and listeners following me on iHeartRadio, courtesy millions of download show that you've been doing that over the last few months. So thank you so much. As it pertains to YouTube, the digital airwaves we've now eclipsed 1.23 million subscribers. Can't thank y' all for the love and support. Enough. Keep it coming and I'm gonna keep on coming to continue to like and follow the show. Just click the bell to get notified for all of our newest content and you too shall be the latest member of the Stephen A. Smith show family. And while you're doing that, make sure to pick up a copy of my New York Times best selling book Straight Shooter, A memoir of second chances and first takes now in paperback. Just go to straight shoot a book.com to get yourself a copy. Once again, that's straight shooterbook.com to get yourself a copy. This is a special edition of the Stephen A. Smith show and the reason why it is a special edition is because the New York Knicks are all right. The New York Knicks have decided that after five years it was time to fire Coach Tom Thibodeau. Tom Thibodeau today was relieved of his duties just a couple of days after the New York Knicks were unceremoniously removed from the NBA playoffs, courtesy of the Indiana Pacers, who beat them in six games to head to the NBA Finals. While Tom Thibodeau is without a job, this is a man that guided the New York Knicks to 51 wins this season. A top three seed in the Eastern Conference. He's also somebody, ladies and gentlemen, I've been very, very critical of. I've been very, very critical of from the standpoint that I wish the man used this bench more. I remember that Kenny Smith, I said before, and I'll say it again, it was the line of the year when Kenny Smith said, Kenny Smith, the TNT said, quote, tom Thibodeau wouldn't want to play nine dudes in a baseball game. That is absolutely true. So you'll run starters into the ground. You know, you don't utilize your bench, you don't work diligently enough on the bench to make sure that you got deep enough cats to. You got a deep enough bench to utilize allah, Indiana and OKC participants in this upcoming NBA Finals who go nine, 10, sometimes 11 deep. That ain't Tom Thibodeau, and I understand that, but it's just something that's, that's just, it's just not a good feeling to watch this man get you to within two games of a birth to the NBA Finals and he's gone. But Leon Rose, the president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks stage, you're the one that elected to trade five first round picks, four unprotected, to the Brooklyn Nets for Mikhail Bridges. There's something that's just wrong with that picture. Mikhail Bridges is a damn good player. Mikhail Bridges is Mr. Reliable. Can give you 17, 19 again a game. He's gonna play 75 to 82 games a regular season for you, Mr. Iron Man. He's very reliable, very dependable, a damn good player, a damn good defensive player. But there's nothing about him that's elite. He's never been an all star. And you give up five first round picks for him, four unprotected. That is what Tom Thibodeau did. That's. I'm sorry, that's what the New York Knicks did. That is what Leon Rose did. But Tom Thibodeau is out of a job. See, at some point in time, it's about being fair. About being fair. If Ty Lew is out there, I'm good With it. If Eric Spous is out there, I'm good with it. Mike Malone might be available for the job. He is available for the job. I don't know if the Knicks are going to hire him. Former head coach for the Denver Nuggets who won a championship a couple of years ago. I got that part because Tom Zone never coached in the NBA Finals as a head coach where Michael Malone won one. I got that part. Jay Wright out of Villa Nova, two time national champion who coached Brunson, who coached Mikhail Bridges, who coached Josh Hart when they were in college at Villanova. I'm hearing his name. Don't know how much truth there is to that. I personally think Rick Brunson, the father of Jalen Brunson, former standout player at Temple University, an assistant coach on a bench with Tom Thibodeau who has the pulse of the players. I don't mind that at all, but that's subject, that's something we could get into in the days and the weeks down the road. Right now the issue is Tom Thibodeau. Why the hell is he out of a job again? He's not flawless again. There have been times where I've been critical of Tom Thibodeau, no doubt, but for him to guide the Knicks as deep as they did, for him to upend Boston. And I want to hear about no injury to Jason Tatum because Jason Tatum went down with about a couple of minutes left in game three and the Knicks were about to go up three one and he was healthy when the Knicks beat Boston Games 1 and 2 in Boston of that Eastern Conference semifinal series. So I'm looking at all of that and I'm saying, yo, we gotta call it like it is. We got to call it like he said, look at the roster. The New York Knicks. Tom Thibodeau is a defensive minded coach. Is it possible? Is it plausible? Does it make sense, ladies and gentlemen, for us to look at Leon Rose and the New York Knicks and say, yo, you kind of compromised him because he's a defensive minded coach and that you kept Hartenstein and a Julius Randle and a Dante T. Vincenzo and your picks, you, you could have got this far and you'd be in a better position to go out there and let's say get a Yanis Antetokounmpo. But the likelihood of that happening is slim now. And it's just something about it that don't feel right, that don't seem right. Sean Charania of ESPN reported that the Knicks thought it was just time to move in a different direction. I spoke to sources within the New York Knicks. They're like, it's time, Stephen A is time. Time for what? Time for what? I mean, I'm truly, truly, truly at a loss. Do you remember back in March when Mikhail Bridges and Tom Thibault had a disagreement? 12 hours after Mikhail Bridges said publicly that he talked privately to his coach, Tom Thibodeau about the starters playing too much minutes and a bench not enough, the NBA's league leader in minutes capped a 41 minute overtime performance with a buzzer beating game winning three. Five hours after Thibodeau publicly stated that he and Bridges never had a private discussion about the starters playing too many minutes and the bench too few, the coach put the ball in the hands of Bridges over and over down the stretch to seal the win. It didn't negate the fact that Bridges still complained. So I remember that. I remember that. I'm looking at that and then I'm saying to myself, okay, I'm also looking at this. Tibbs, in five seasons as the coach, this was the Knick statements. As an organization, organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. Team president Leon Rose said, we can't thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. Ultimately we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward. Ain't that some weak ass of a statement? You can't tell anybody why this is the problem with the New York Knicks because the fans are still going to come to the Garden. My dumb ass is still going to come to the Garden. Other people are still going to come to the Garden. We going to pack to the rafters. We going to come there and support the team no matter what the hell they do because they never have to answer for anything. You would think you letting a coach like Tom Thibodeau go, you stand before the media, answer some damn questions. Now, Leon Rose, a man that I've known for decades, that I have profound respect for, that I think for the most part has done a hell of a job. But there's a couple of moves he's done that I disagree with that I think one could argue, easily compromise the success of Tom Thibodeau. You've never seen a Tom Thibodeau team play defense the way this team played defense this year. We all knew they weren't up to snuff defensively. We got articles coming out in the Athletic about Carl Anthony Towns and how some of the Teammates thought that he wasn't all bought in. You see his size 21ft, you see his suspect knees and legs, you think he's gonna run up and down the court every single play defensively when he knows you need his offense at 24 and 13 a night. That wasn't Tom Thibodeau's decision. That was tips. That was Leon Rose. I'm sorry, DiVincenzo and Randall. Listen, I'm not. I like these moves. I even like Mikhail Bridges being on the team. I didn't know there was five first round picks for him at the time. But these are the kind of things that we got to live with. You would think that having lived with it, if you're going to make a decision like this, you stand before the public and you tell them why. And I think the only way that you skid over that and let that go is if Ty lose decides apart from Los Angeles Clippers or you got a Mike Malone or a Jay Wright coming into play. And I don't know that they'll do a better job than Tibbs, but they both can coach. And if you had this planned all along and that was just successive, then it's self explanatory. But if there's some coaching search and you don't know definitively who you want or who you're going to bring on board when you made this move to let Tibs go, it looks like Tibbs got screwed. New York Knicks will tell you it's time, it's time, it's time. And I know somebody is intense and as intensely focused as Tibbs can wear on players. I just think that when the man just took you to game six of the Eastern Conference finals, when the team wasn't what it was last year in terms of grit, because of the moves you made as the executive of the team firing coach, firing the coach is just bordering on escape goat status. But that's just me. I'm just looking at the Knicks right now and my question to myself is where do they go from here? That's how I'm looking at it. I'm just looking at things going on right now, wondering what the Knicks are and what they're going to look like this off season. They were 51 and 31. They did number one three. They were the number three seed in Eastern Conference. First back to back 50 win seasons in 30 years. That's tips. Advanced to the conference finals for the first time since 2000. Lost back then to the paces by the way, in six games as well. I'M sorry, this. This one in six games they went to conference finals this time. Okay, free agents. The only ones they got is precious Achua, Cameron Payne, Lon Wright, Landry Shamut. Don't get me started with Shammon, who decided to hit back to back threes when a game didn't matter in game six Saturday night. Don't get me started with that. I'll let that go. Your only draft assets in June is the number 50 overall pick from the Memphis Grizzlies. The trade with Brooklyn last June left New York with only one tradable first in the next seven years. In the next seven years the Knicks only have one tradable first round pick. Top eight protected first from the Wizards in 2026. The Knicks are allowed to swap first round picks in 2026, 2030 and 2032 and have seven second round picks available. That's what this is. And just to remind you, the Knicks acquired Bridges and a second rounder for the Brooklyn Nets for Bogdanovich. Five first round picks form protected, one first round pick swap and one second round pick swat. Damn, you would have thought Luke or Kevin Durant was coming. No, all of that was for Mikel Bridges who by the way is good but needs to improve and live up to the status that he was traded for. By the way, last June the Knicks traded the 26th overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft to Oklahoma City in exchange for five second round picks. That's how they got the five second round picks. All right, now remember to call Anthony Towns trade. They acquired Julius Randall, Dante DiVincenzo in a top 13. The Knicks acquired Carl Anthony Towns from the T Wolves four three time All Star Julius Randle, Dante DiVincenzo and a top 13 protective first round pick from the Pistons. Just a little nuggets and notes for that one ladies and gentlemen. The pick was top 13 protected in 2025, top 11 in 2026, top 9 in 2027 and will convert to a second round pick if not conveyed by by then potential, albeit unlikely trade targets are Giannis and Kevin Durant. The Knicks lightly trade chips include Karl Anthony Towns with his huge remaining contract, Mikhail Bridges due for a contract extension, Miles McBride, Tony Colic and a top eight protective first from the Wizards in 2026. Those are the assets that the New York Knicks have available to them because they gave an Anobi 212 million. You know you ain't moving Brunson and Josh Hart is too inexpensive to let go of in today's market and there you have it, so I'm just looking at it. Call Anthony Towns 53.1 million next year. 57.1 million the first season after 61 million. Player option in 2027. 2028. Nick sizable contracts call. Anthony Townsend just gave it to OG an ANOBI. 39.6 million in two. You know. Player option in 2028. Mikhail Bridges at 21 44.9 million. Unrestricted free agent next year. Josh Hart. 19 1/2 million team option 2027. Mitchell Robson 12.9 million. Unrestricted Free Agent after next season. Deuce McBride, 4.3 million under restricted free agent as of 2027. That's what we're looking at. That's what we're talking about. New York Knicks into the off season with 200 million in salary and four roster spots available. They're 3.8 million over the first apron and 8 million below the second. They'll get three and a half million in financial relief if the team option of PJ Tuck is declined, which it New York has until June 29th to exercise Tucker's option and a 2 million option of last year's second round pick. This is what we're looking at. It's not bad. New York Knicks will be in the playoffs next year, but where are you going after that? You think they're going to be better than Cleveland? You think they're not going to. You think they're suddenly going to be better than the Indiana paces? You think the Orlando Magic is just gonna fade into the twilight? You think the Detroit Pistons are going anywhere? They didn't have Jaden. Jaden Ivy and Isaiah Stewart. Nick's got their work cut out for them, ladies and gentlemen. Oh, yes, they do. I feel bad for Tom Thibodeau again. I've been critical of him, wanting him to utilize his bench, which he did as the season waned because he had no choice. And his stubbornness may have gotten the better of him and his voice and his. And they just may have needed a new voice. All of that's fine. But if you're Leon Rose, you don't get to just hide behind some weak, meaningless statement. You gotta answer questions. It's not like you deserve to be fired or anything. We all know you did a good job overall as the new president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks over these last few years, you've resurrected this franchise. You've made them interesting and compelling. You've battled and you fought and you've gone deep into the playoffs. Nobody's calling for you. To be fired or anything like that. That all we're saying, Leon Rose, is how the hell you gonna give that weak ass statement and you don't address the media and let them know, look, man, we trying to win championship, we gotta go in a different direction. There are things that we, we, we, we should have done differently. We deserve to hear that. We deserve to hear how Leon Rose is feeling about this roster. How does he feel about giving up so many assets for Mikhail Bridges? Why specifically did he do it? Even though we all know why. Because Jalen Brunson wanted him to. Because Jalen Brunson could have signed a deal a year later and got over 120 million more dollars. But he didn't do it. We got that part. But it'd be nice to hear. Call Anthony Townsend. The health, his knees, his feet. What's up? They're home. I'm not losing sleep over this. I lost sleep Saturday night when they got sent home from the playoffs and Indiana's going to the finals. I'm not going to lose sleep over them changing their coach. I just would like to know why, from the person I deem most responsible for all of this in Leon Rose, why he made this decision. That's it. And then we move on from there. Gotta get on outta here. Just wanted to sound off about this New York Knicks trade of firing. I'm sorry of Tom Thibodeau. I don't like it. I think it's kind of messed up. I don't think a lot of people saw this coming. There's no question that Tom Thibodeau would have went home unemployed if they had lost to Boston early in the Eastern Conference semifinals. If they're getting taken out of four or five games. Tom Thibodeau would not have a job as the New York Knicks. But the minute he won that series, everybody and their mother was assuming yo he'll be back. Especially since the challenges that the New York Knicks faced, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, was primarily because of decisions made by Leon Rose, not Tom Thibodeau. But that's me. We'll talk about it in the days, weeks and months to come. I'll keep my eye on who the next head coach of the New York Knicks is going to be. I got four names that I want to be prime candidates for this job. Mike Malone and Jay Wright are given professionally, collegiately, with what they did in Denver and Villa and at Villanova, respectfully and respectively. I got that part. Rick Brunson, Jalen Brunson's daddy, an assistant coach on that bench. He can't leave that bench. He has to be on that bench. I've watched this guy have the pulse of these players. He has to be there. And if he got elevated to the head coach job of the New York Knicks, it wouldn't bother me one bit. And this shouldn't bother y' all. That would be one. That would be three. And last but not least, Mark Jackson. Mark Jackson. Remember that guy that essentially was blackballed, that did a hell of a job coaching? The Golden State warriors are basically prepping Steph and Clay, the Splash brothers, along with Draymond, for Steve Kerr's arrival. Remember that? That dude. Why can't he get a look? Why can't he get a head coaching job with what he knows about the game? And if not him? Are y' all ready for this one? This is the fifth one, the last one that I'll throw out there for everybody to hear. How about the lead assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers by the name of Mr. Jeff Van Gundy, bringing him back? I know he didn't leave under the greatest of terms for the Knicks and back decades ago, but damn it, he's a hell of a coach. Personally speaking, I would be in support of Mark Jackson being the head coach, but if Jeff Van Gundy came back, I would be in support of Mark Jackson being an assistant. That's it. That's where I'm coming from. I want that man back on the coaching sidelines in the NBA. Nobody as productive as Mark Jackson should be ostracized from a support like this. I would love to see him back. And I'm gonna keep saying it. That's all I'm gonna say. I gotta get on out of here. I hope y' all appreciate me sounding off. I had to let my feelings be known. Y' all will see me on First Take tomorrow. You'll see me here. You'll see me Lord knows on what Sports center or any other platform because of this firing. I got a lot to say about it, of course, and everybody's going to want to hear from me. So that's the situation. I just want to make sure y' all heard from me first. I got to get on out of here. This is Stephen A. Signing off. Until next time, everybody, peace and love. Take care. God bless.

The Stephen A. Smith Show: Detailed Summary

Podcast Information

Title: The Stephen A. Smith Show
Host: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts
Episode: Stephen A's Take: Shock & Outrage – Smith was stunned by the firing, questioning why Knicks' Coach Tom Thibodeau was let go!
Release Date: June 3, 2025

Introduction In this special edition of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves deep into the recent and shocking decision by the New York Knicks to relieve Coach Tom Thibodeau of his duties. Smith expresses his surprise and frustration over the abrupt firing, especially considering Thibodeau's contributions to the team's success over the past five years.

Background on Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks' Season Smith begins by outlining Tom Thibodeau's achievements with the Knicks, highlighting that under his leadership, the team secured 51 wins this season and secured a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference. He remarks:

“Tom Thibodeau today was relieved of his duties just a couple of days after the New York Knicks were unceremoniously removed from the NBA playoffs, courtesy of the Indiana Pacers, who beat them in six games to head to the NBA Finals.” ([01:05])

Despite guiding the Knicks to their best performance in decades, Tom Thibodeau's tenure ends abruptly, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the rationale behind the decision.

Critique of Thibodeau's Coaching Style Smith offers a balanced critique of Thibodeau, acknowledging both his strengths and areas where he fell short. He references past criticisms regarding Thibodeau's bench management:

“I've been very, very critical of him, from the standpoint that I wish the man used this bench more... you run starters into the ground. You don't utilize your bench.” ([05:20])

Smith cites Kenny Smith's remark to emphasize his point:

“Tom Thibodeau wouldn't want to play nine dudes in a baseball game. That is absolutely true.” ([05:35])

He underscores that while Thibodeau's defensive strategies were commendable, his reluctance to rotate players adequately may have contributed to player fatigue and team performance issues.

Organizational Decisions and Management Critique A significant portion of Smith's analysis centers on the Knicks' front office decisions, particularly those made by Leon Rose, the team's President of Basketball Operations. He scrutinizes the trade that sent Mikhail Bridges to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for five first-round picks:

“Leon Rose... traded five first-round picks, four unprotected, to the Brooklyn Nets for Mikhail Bridges. There's something that's just wrong with that picture.” ([08:15])

Smith praises Bridges for being a reliable and hardworking player but points out that the trade depletes the Knicks' future assets without acquiring an elite player in return.

He further criticizes Leon Rose's handling of the situation, especially the vague statements released to the public:

“Team president Leon Rose said, 'we can't thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. Ultimately we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward.' Ain't that some weak ass of a statement?” ([12:45])

Smith demands more transparency and accountability from the Knicks' management, arguing that such nebulous statements do little to justify the unexpected firing of a successful coach.

Specific Incidents Leading to Firing Smith recalls a pivotal moment in March when Mikhail Bridges publicly expressed concerns over the team's minute distribution, leading to a strained relationship with Thibodeau:

“Mikhail Bridges said publicly that he talked privately to his coach, Tom Thibodeau about the starters playing too much minutes and a bench not enough... Thibodeau publicly stated that he and Bridges never had a private discussion.” ([14:10])

This incident, according to Smith, exemplifies the underlying tensions that may have precipitated Thibodeau's dismissal, even as the team continued to perform well defensively.

Roster and Asset Analysis Delving into the Knicks' current roster and future prospects, Smith provides a comprehensive breakdown of available players, upcoming free agents, and draft assets. He highlights the scarcity of high-value assets remaining with the team, emphasizing the long-term impact of recent trades:

“The Knicks acquired Bridges and a second rounder for the Brooklyn Nets for Bogdanovich. Five first-round picks from protected, one first-round pick swap, and one second-round pick swap.” ([17:30])

Smith underscores the limited trade assets the Knicks possess, questioning their ability to significantly bolster the team in the near future.

Possible Replacements for Thibodeau Looking ahead, Smith speculates on potential candidates to fill the vacant head coach position. He lists four prime candidates, each bringing a unique set of skills and experiences:

Mike Malone: Former Denver Nuggets head coach who recently won a championship.
Jay Wright: Renowned for his successful tenure at Villanova University.
Rick Brunson: Assistant coach with a strong rapport with players.
Mark Jackson: Former NBA coach with a deep understanding of the game.

Additionally, Smith mentions Jeff Van Gundy as a potential candidate, expressing a desire to see Jackson return to coaching roles:

“I would love to see him back on the coaching sidelines in the NBA. Nobody as productive as Mark Jackson should be ostracized from a support like this.” ([20:10])

Future Outlook and Conclusion In concluding his analysis, Smith reflects on the Knicks' achievements under Thibodeau and the uncertainties that lie ahead. He emphasizes the need for strategic planning to maintain competitiveness:

“The Knicks will be in the playoffs next year, but where are you going after that? You think they're going to be better than Cleveland? You think they're not going to?” ([19:50])

Smith expresses sympathy for Thibodeau, acknowledging his contributions while firmly questioning the management's decision to part ways with him. He calls for greater transparency from Leon Rose and anticipates more in-depth discussions on the topic in future episodes.

Final Remarks Stephen A. Smith wraps up by reaffirming his commitment to covering the evolving situation with the New York Knicks, promising continued analysis and commentary in upcoming shows.

“I just want to make sure y' all heard from me first. I got to get on out of here. This is Stephen A. Signing off.” ([21:58])

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

On Thibodeau's Firing: “Tom Thibodeau today was relieved of his duties just a couple of days after the New York Knicks were unceremoniously removed from the NBA playoffs...” ([01:05])
Critique on Bench Usage: “Tom Thibodeau wouldn't want to play nine dudes in a baseball game. That is absolutely true.” ([05:35])
On Management's Weak Statement: “Ain't that some weak ass of a statement?” ([12:45])
On Player Disagreements: “Mikhail Bridges still complained.” ([14:10])
On Future Assets: “The Knicks acquired Bridges and a second rounder for the Brooklyn Nets for Bogdanovich.” ([17:30])
On Coaching Candidates: “Nobody as productive as Mark Jackson should be ostracized from a support like this.” ([20:10])
On Future Competitiveness: “You think they're going to be better than Cleveland? You think they're not going to?” ([19:50])

Conclusion Stephen A. Smith's in-depth analysis provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding Tom Thibodeau's firing from the New York Knicks. By dissecting coaching strategies, management decisions, and future prospects, Smith offers a nuanced perspective that not only critiques the present scenario but also forecasts the potential paths the team may embark upon. This episode serves as a crucial listen for Knicks fans and basketball enthusiasts seeking clarity on one of the NBA's most unexpected coaching changes.