Karl-Anthony Towns Reacts to Knicks Firing Tom Thibodeau: “I Didn’t Know What Was Happening”
When the New York Knicks abruptly fired head coach Tom Thibodeau in June, it sent shockwaves throughout the NBA. Few expected the move after Thibodeau had helped guide the Knicks back to playoff relevance in recent years, but ownership decided to go in a new direction. Among those caught off guard by the news was one of Thibodeau’s most notable former players: Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns.
Speaking to reporters this offseason, Towns admitted that he was just as blindsided as everyone else.
“I didn’t know what was happening…I left to finally get some R & R, and I’m hearing the news, so obviously I was surprised, like the rest of the world,” Towns said.
It was a candid remark from the three-time All-Star, who played his first four NBA seasons under Thibodeau in Minnesota. His reaction also underscores how deeply tied Thibodeau’s career has been to the players he’s coached, many of whom remain connected to him even after moving on.
Towns and Thibodeau: A Complicated History
Towns’ surprise at the Knicks’ decision comes from his own long and complicated relationship with Thibodeau. The Timberwolves hired Thibodeau in 2016 as both head coach and president of basketball operations, pairing the defensive-minded coach with a rising young star in Towns.
The move was bold, and initially, there was optimism that Thibodeau could build Minnesota into a contender. In 2018, the Timberwolves reached the playoffs for the first time since 2004, snapping a 14-year drought. Towns, then in just his third season, averaged 21.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.
But the relationship wasn’t without friction. Reports often surfaced that Thibodeau’s hard-driving coaching style clashed with some of the younger Timberwolves, particularly in the way he handled practices and workloads. The infamous Jimmy Butler saga in 2018 — where Butler confronted teammates in practice before being traded — only added to the tension.
By January 2019, the Timberwolves dismissed Thibodeau after a 19–21 start to the season. Towns remained the franchise centerpiece, while Thibodeau took time away before eventually resurfacing in New York.
Despite the rocky ending in Minnesota, Towns has consistently expressed respect for Thibodeau. His latest comments on the Knicks firing suggest that, while their time together had challenges, there’s still an appreciation for Thibodeau’s role in his early development.
The Knicks’ Surprising Decision
For Knicks fans, the firing of Thibodeau was both shocking and divisive. After years of dysfunction, Thibodeau had brought stability, structure, and most importantly, playoff appearances back to Madison Square Garden.
Under his leadership, New York made the postseason in two of his last three years, with Jalen Brunson blossoming into an All-NBA caliber point guard. Thibodeau’s defensive schemes and emphasis on accountability had clearly reshaped the culture.
But the front office reportedly wanted to move in a different direction. Critics argued that Thibodeau’s reliance on heavy minutes, his rigid rotations, and a preference for veterans over younger players may have limited the Knicks’ long-term growth. When the decision was made, it reverberated across the league — even players not directly involved, like Towns, took notice.
Towns’ Surprise Reflects the Broader NBA Community
Towns’ candid remarks are reflective of the general reaction from the basketball world. Coaches with résumés like Thibodeau’s rarely find themselves unemployed without controversy or scandal attached. Instead, this was a case of organizational philosophy diverging from coaching style.
By saying, “I left to finally get some R & R, and I’m hearing the news,” Towns painted a picture of just how unexpected the move was. It wasn’t just shocking to insiders; it was shocking to players who had once lived through Thibodeau’s demanding approach firsthand.
His words also highlight the enduring respect that players have for coaches, even when the relationships weren’t always easy. For Towns, Thibodeau was a critical figure in his formative years, helping shape the foundation of his professional career.
What’s Next for Thibodeau — and the Knicks?
While the Knicks’ coaching search is ongoing, Thibodeau’s future remains uncertain. Given his track record, it’s hard to imagine him staying out of the league for long. He has built a reputation as a coach who can stabilize franchises, instill defensive toughness, and maximize effort.
Meanwhile, the Knicks are entering a new chapter. With Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett forming the team’s core, the next coach will face pressure to build upon Thibodeau’s groundwork and push the franchise deeper into the playoffs.
For players like Towns watching from afar, the decision serves as a reminder of how quickly the NBA landscape can change. Coaches who once seemed untouchable can be gone overnight.
Conclusion: A Player’s Honest Reflection
Karl-Anthony Towns’ reaction to Tom Thibodeau’s firing shows how the ripple effects of such a decision extend far beyond New York. His words — “I didn’t know what was happening…I left to finally get some R & R, and I’m hearing the news, so obviously I was surprised, like the rest of the world” — capture the collective shock of the basketball community.
For Towns, it was a reminder of his own history with Thibodeau, both the highs and the challenges. For the Knicks, it was a gamble that could shape their future for years to come. And for Thibodeau, it was another unexpected twist in a coaching career defined by resilience, intensity, and, most of all, unpredictability.
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