Knicks’ Jalen Brunson talks firing of Tom Thibodeau, what former coach has meant to his career

It’s been more than a week since the Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, and while the basketball world and players like Josh Hart have voiced their thoughts on the job Thibodeau has done for the team, we haven’t heard from team captain Jalen Brunson.

Brunson was very close to Thibodeau, with his father Rick Brunson working as Thibodeau’s assistant with the Bulls, Timberwolves and Knicks. When the Knicks were ousted from the NBA Playoffs after Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Brunson defended his coach when asked about Thibodeau’s ability to get this team over the top.

Advertisement

However, the organization decided to go in a different direction and Brunson has finally spoken for the first time after the decision on the June 12 episode of the Roommates Show, his podcast with Hart. Both players spoke about the firing and what Thibodeau meant to them.

“We want to give a shoutout to Thibs, man, you know, especially for myself,” Hart started. “He helped make me into the player I am. I had a lot of instability in the early part of my career and he gave me that stability and that opportunity to flourish as a player in the league, a starter in the league, so I’m always going to be forever grateful for him.

“This is always a tough part of the NBA because you grow relationships not just on the court but off the court and personal relationships, so I always got love for him. It’s always tough when there’s a coaching change.”

Brunson, who was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks and only had a coach change on him once when Rick Carlisle resigned to sign with the Pacers, so this is uncharted territory for the All-Star guard. Brunson chose to highlight what Thibodeau has done for his career since signing with New York.

Advertisement

“This is my first firing. Obviously, I’ve known him my entire life, but I remember having conversations and moments with him in 8th grade when we moved to Chicago. And to see where he helped me become two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA. The things he’s done for me individually, I’m so grateful for,” Brunson said. “He had that confidence in me that I knew I had, but it’s great to see someone push me to be better…. to have Thibs, and to do what he did for my career, I’m so grateful and thankful for. Not enough things can be said about what he’s meant to myself and my career.”

When both were asked if they had any inkling that the firing would happen or if Thibodeau was on the hot seat, Hart who has had multiple coaching changes in his eight-year career, put it best.

“We had a really good year. It didn’t end how we wanted it to end. Sometimes when the season doesn’t end the way you expect it to, there’s always changes. Whether that’s coaches, players,” Hart said. “Thibs is my sixth coach in eight years. The NBA coaching profession is tough. Whenever you don’t finish the way you expect, there’s always gonna be changes. That one was a tough one. There should be nothing but praise for him and his time in New York.”

“I agree. 100 percent,” Brunson responded.

Advertisement

Thibodeau joined the Knicks ahead of the 2019-20 season, and in five seasons, he amassed a 226-174 record in the regular season, going 24-23 in the playoffs.

He coached the Knicks to the playoffs in four of his five seasons, had back-to-back 50-win seasons and took New York to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. Whoever becomes the next coach of the Knicks will have big shoes to fill.

“[Thibodeau] took that job when the Knicks were just buns,” Hart, who was traded to the Knicks in 2023, said. “They were 20 wins. He got that job for five years, made the playoffs in four years, first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years. He helped Knicks basketball go back to the top level in the league. He should get a lot of credit for the foundation that he built.”