After their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in a quarter century, the New York Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday (June 3), CBS Sports reported

In four years with the team, Thibodeau posted a 226-174 record, including a back-to-back season. He has the fourth-most wins by a Knicks coach.

Issuing a joint statement, team owner Jim Dolan and team president Leon Rose shared the rationale behind Thibodeau’s termination.

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"Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we've decided to move in another direction," they said in the statement. 

"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. He led us not only with his class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories,” their statement continued. “Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for the organization moving forward. Tom will always be part of our Knicks family, and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future."

When news of Thibodeau’s firing went public, NBA Twitter was quick to weigh in with various reactions on both sides of the spectrum.

NBA icon Magic Johnson expressed his dismay at the Knicks’ decision.

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“WOW WOW WOW. I can’t believe the NY Knicks coach, Tom Thibodeau, was fired today after leading the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals! The biggest question is, why was he fired? Now, who will be the next coach of the Knicks?” his post read.

Travone Edwards, host of “The Greatest of Their Era ”NBA podcast, was also shocked by the news.

“Let me get this straight, you turn the franchise into a watchable ball club, make the ecf for the first time in 25 years, and now someone else gets to benefit from your work, “ Edwards wrote.

Kendrick Perkins, NBA analyst for ESPN, who also won a championship with Thibodeau when he was an assistant with the Boston Celtics, accused the Knicks of being incompetent.

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"[Tom Thibodeau] didn't deserve to lose his damn job,” Perkns said on NBA Today.

Throughout his tenure, Thibodeau was criticized for his style of play, which was perceived as wearing down his players throughout the season and being antiquated in today’s NBA. Thibodeau was also constantly in the hot seat for not playing his bench players enough. After losing to the Pacers in six games, the disappointing loss ultimately led to his job being terminated.

Unlike other coaching firings, Thibodeau had the full backing of his star players.

After the Pacers eliminated them on Saturday, Jalen Brunson, the team captain and a recent All-NBA selection, expressed unequivocal support for Thibodeau when asked by a reporter if he believed the coach was right for the team.

"Is that a real question right now?" Brunson said. "You just asked me if I believe that he's the right guy? Yes. Come on."