Ex-Knicks Player Makes Candid Statement on Tom Thibodeau’s Firing originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New York Knicks shocked many after they defeated the Boston Celtics in the second round of the NBA Playoffs to advance to their first Eastern Conference Final since 2000. Unfortunately, waiting for them was a familiar foe: the Indiana Pacers.
It was just the latest entry in an already storied rivalry. The last time the Knicks had appeared in the Eastern Conference Finals, they fell to the Pacers with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line. The Pacers went on to fall to the Shaquille O’Neal-led Los Angeles Lakers.
Ex-Knicks player makes candid statement on Tom Thibodeau’s firing
To some, advancing further into the playoffs than they had in years would be deemed a successful season. The Knicks thought otherwise, however, firing head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons. The move was met with mixed reviews. Some believed that anything less than a championship would’ve ultimately led to Thibodeau’s firing, while others believed it was unfair after creating a winning culture in New York.
Following the move, former New York Knicks center and Oklahoma City Thunder champion Isaiah Hartenstein didn’t hold back when discussing Thibodeau’s firing.
“Before he came there, the Knicks weren’t winning much at all,” Hartenstein said. “He changed the culture…Going to the ECF for the first time in a long time…He did a great job there. I don’t know, at the end of the day the Knicks had to do what’s best for them. For me…Thibs was a great coach.”
“He changed the culture…Going to the ECF for the first time in a long time…He did a great job there. I don’t know, at the end of the day the Knicks had to do what’s best for them. For me…Thibs was a great coach”
–– Isaiah Hartenstein on Knicks firing Tom Thibodeau pic.twitter.com/AKthLYtK9Q
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) July 4, 2025
Hartenstein played for the Knicks from 2022 through 2024 before becoming a free agent. He then signed a three-year $87 million deal with the Thunder to help anchor the paint beside Chet Holmgren. He helped the Thunder win the title, scoring seven points and securing nine rebounds in the final game that helped clinch the championship for the Thunder.
The Knicks now hope that Brown is what the Knicks need to win the title. If he falls short of what Thibodeau was able to do with the team, he’ll undoubtedly hear about it from those in the New York media.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.