Stephen A. Smith's 'Wishful' Giannis Antetokounmpo Theory After Tom Thibodeau Firing
Stephen A. Smith's 'Wishful' Giannis Antetokounmpo Theory After Tom Thibodeau Firing originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Monday that Tom Thibodeau "has a lot going for him" in terms of returning as the team's head coach next season.
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As it turns out, Charania was way off on that one.
News hit on Tuesday that the Knicks had decided to fire Thibodeau following New York's heartbreaking Eastern Conference finals loss to the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks will now need to find a successor to the veteran shot-caller, who parts ways with the team after five memorable seasons.
ESPN analyst and Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith has chimed in on the hot topic of the day. The renowned broadcaster decided to float a theory surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo--who has already been linked to a potential blockbuster trade to the Knicks--and the Milwaukee Bucks superstar's potential role in the Thibodeau decision.
"I would hope that one of the other reasons this change is being made is because you got a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo that wants to come to New York," Smith said. "And he would have desired changes, and he might have articulated that.
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"That's just wishful fantasy kind of thinking on my part. I have no evidence of that whatsoever. I'm just throwing that in the mix."
Smith made it clear, though, that this is nothing more than speculation from his end and that he has no factual basis behind the theory--at least not yet.
Former New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The ESPN sports analyst then turned his attention to the Knicks' roster and how Thibodeau might not be the best man for the job in terms of coaching the squad's current lineup.
"Maybe that's a good enough reason for you to go in a different direction from Tom Thibodeau because we need a different kind of coach, a coach with a different style," Smith continued.
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"Maybe the players articulated that, 'You know what, we want to hear a new voice as well because we're tired of playing for Thibs.' We don't know definitively whether or not that was the case, but I can tell you in my experience covering the NBA, that's definitely plausible."
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Smith ended his lengthy monologue by demanding to hear from team president Leon Rose as to why the team decided to go in this direction with regard to Thibodeau.
"Still and all, Leon Rose needs to stand before the media and answer them damn questions for the public because the public has a right to know," Smith said.
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Related: Indiana Fever React to Caitlin Clark's Antics in Pacers-Knicks Game
Related: Reggie Miller Didn't Hesitate Calling Out Knicks Fans After Pacers' Win
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
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