Stephen A's Take: Shock & Outrage – Smith was stunned by the firing, questioning why Knicks' Coach Tom Thibodeau was let go!

The Stephen A. Smith Show

Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts

Society & Culture, Sports

4.6 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 3 June 2025

⏱️ 21 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Stephen A. Smith is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Producer, host of ESPN's First Take, and co-host of NBA Countdown.

Stephen A. Smith was furious about the New York Knicks firing Tom Thibodeau after five seasons, especially following a 51-win season and a deep playoff run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Smith argued that Thibodeau was unfairly scapegoated and that the Knicks' front office should be held accountable for roster decisions that may have compromised the team's success.

Breakdown of His Reaction

Shock & Outrage – Smith was stunned by the firing, questioning why Thibodeau was let go after leading the Knicks to their best playoff run in decades.
Criticism of Leon Rose – He blasted Rose for avoiding the media and failing to justify the decision publicly.
Roster Decisions – Smith pointed out that the Knicks' front office made questionable trades, including giving up five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges, which may have hindered the team.
Potential Coaching Replacements – He suggested Mike Malone, Jay Wright, Rick Brunson, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy as possible successors.
Future of the Knicks – Smith expressed concerns about the Knicks' ability to compete next season, given their limited draft assets and salary cap constraints.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This is an I-Heart podcast.
0:04.4	What? Tom, the Middle fired! What the!
0:08.4	What the! What's up, everybody?
0:21.8	Welcome to the latest edition of the Stephen A. Smith Show coming at yours.
0:24.6	I love to do at the very least three times a week over the digital airwaves of YouTube.
0:28.8	And, of course, IHeart Radio.
0:29.9	As always, I'd like to take a moment to thank my subscribers and followers and listeners.
0:33.7	Following me on IHeartRadio, courtesy millions of download show that you've been doing that over
0:37.8	the last few months so thank you so much as it pertains to youtube the digital airwaves we've now
0:43.1	eclipsed 1.23 million subscribers can't thank y'all for the love and support enough keep it coming
0:48.5	and i'm going to keep on coming and continue to like and follow the show just click the bell and get
0:52.4	notified for all of our newest content and you too shall be the latest member of the Stephen A. Smith Show family.
0:56.6	And while you're doing that, make sure to pick up a copy of my New York Times bestselling book
0:59.7	Straight Shooter, a memoir of Second Chances and First Takes Now in paperback.
1:03.9	Just go to Straight Shooterbook.com to get yourself a copy.
1:06.4	Once again, that Straight Shooterbook.com to get yourself a copy. This is a special edition of the Stephen A. Smith Show.
1:11.9	And the reason why this is a special edition is because the New York Knicks, all right?
1:16.8	The New York Knicks have decided that after five years, it was time to fire Coach Tom Thibodeau.
1:24.7	Tom Thibodeau today was relieved of his duties.
1:36.8	Just a couple of days after the New York Knicks were unceremoniously removed from the NBA playoffs,
1:43.4	courtesy of the Indiana Pacers, who beat them in six games to head to the NBA finals while Tom Thibito is without a job.
1:45.9	This is a man that guided the New York Knicks to 51 wins this season,
	...

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