The firing of former New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has been so controversial that New York City democratic mayoral candidates have been asked to weigh in.
On Saturday (May 31), Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals ended with the Indiana Pacers defeating the Knicks 125-108, and Coach Thibbs being sent home after leading the team for five years. With the loss still being fresh on the minds of New Yorkers, on Wednesday (June 4), Thibbs' firing was referenced during the NYC Democratic mayoral debate.
In response, eight out of nine participants gave the decision a thumbs down, with politician Michael Blake supporting the firing. "Our goal is to win the Finals, not to get to the conference finals," he said.
Blake brought up the Knicks' loss elsewhere in the debate when discussing the affordability crisis. "As much as I love the Knicks – and I'm sorry they fired Thibbs – but they had to," he said. "You have to tax what's happening at Madison Square Garden."
Knicks president Leon Rose confirmed that Thibbs would no longer be helming the team in a statement posted on Tuesday (June 3).
"Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans," Rose stated. "This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we've decided to move in another direction. 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."