Derrick Rose has always had a close bond with head coach Tom Thibodeau, dating back to their Chicago Bulls days. So when the news broke that Thibodeau had been fired by the New York Knicks despite leading them to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years, many around the league were shocked and those closest to him had questions. But according to Rose, there’s no need to worry about Thibs.
Speaking at a recent NASCAR event, the former MVP couldn’t help but joke about his longtime coach’s situation, saying:
“You know, it’s crazy. I talked to Tibbs after, and he’s good. He’s good. I think you can’t be mad when you’re walking away with thirty million dollars, so you can’t be too sorry for him. But he’s in good spirits.”
“And yeah, that’s my guy, we locked in to the end. But he’s good. Jalen’s still in New York. He’s going to be balling. So everybody wins, I feel like.”
Rose’s comments come just weeks after the Knicks made the stunning decision to part ways with Thibodeau, who had two years left on his contract reportedly worth $30 million.
Owner James Dolan led the charge behind the firing, believing a new direction was necessary despite Thibodeau’s success. Under Thibs, the Knicks had transformed from a lottery team to a gritty playoff contender, riding the breakout of Jalen Brunson all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before falling to the Indiana Pacers in six games.
Many expected Thibodeau to be given an extension for helping resurrect the franchise. Instead, the team pivoted aggressively, launching a head coaching search that reportedly saw five teams deny the Knicks permission to interview their coaches.
After a prolonged effort, the Knicks finally landed Mike Brown, a former Coach of the Year known for his defensive principles and recent stint with the Sacramento Kings.
Still, the Thibodeau exit didn’t come without backlash. Fans and analysts alike questioned the logic of removing a coach who had just led the Knicks to one of their best postseason runs in decades. Yet, as Rose cheekily pointed out, a $30 million parting gift makes the exit sting a little less.
Rose, who has played under Thibodeau in Chicago, Minnesota, and New York, has always praised his coach’s intensity and attention to detail. Their relationship extends far beyond the court, and Rose’s light-hearted remarks are a sign of both his loyalty and the mutual respect they’ve built over the years.
As for Thibodeau’s future, he likely won’t be on the market for long. With multiple teams always looking for proven coaching experience, and with Thibodeau’s resume, including three 50-win seasons, a Coach of the Year award, and a conference finals appearance, it’s a matter of when, not if, he finds his next sideline.
For now, though, as Derrick Rose joked, Thibodeau can enjoy his well-earned $30 million break.
