LeBron James and the NBA world found themselves reacting to the shocking news that the New York Knicks fired Head Coach Tom Thibodeau after leading the team to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years. Many expected the Knicks to potentially make the NBA Finals after defeating the defending champions, the Boston Celtics.
However, the Indiana Pacers were too much as they defeated the Knicks in six games, leading to the eventual firing of Thibodeau shortly after the series loss. Even James reacted to the firing on one of his former All-Star teammates’ Instagram accounts, who posted a meme related to the firing.
LeBron James Could Not Stop Laughing at Kevin Love’s Meme of Thibodeau Firing
Kevin Love took to Instagram to make a lighthearted moment of Thibodeau’s surprising firing of the Knicks:
The meme shares a compilation of former WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon telling multiple people during wrestling shows, “You’re fired.” Love then captions the post, saying, “James Dolan bringing Thibs into his office after he took the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years…”
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James couldn’t control his laughter upon seeing Love’s meme and commented seven laughing emojis as a response. Love has made its presence known on social media, particularly Instagram, as he has been posting tons of viral content to his account. Some have even said that Love himself is on a generational run on Instagram.
Kevin Love on Instagram:
“James Dolan bringing Thibs into his office after he took the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years…”
LeBron James in the comment: “🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣” pic.twitter.com/ka4p6BBxHl
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) June 3, 2025
After Tuesday’s firing it marks the third time in Thibodeau’s career that he has been let go from a team as Head Coach. Thibodeau was previously let go from the Chicago Bulls in 2015 and from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2019.
After the Timberwolves’ firing, Thibeodeau would be given the Knicks’ Head Coaching job in 2020 and would end up winning NBA Coach of the Year for the second time in his career, as he led the Knicks to their first playoff birth since the 2012-13 season.
Thibodeau would continue his success, leading the team to playoff appearances in four out of five seasons and, as mentioned by Love, their first Conference Finals trip in 25 years. None of that was deemed to be good enough, according to Knicks Owner James Dolan, as he has released Thibodeau of his Head Coaching duties as of Tuesday, June 3.
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If the past is indicative of the future, Thibodeau would get another head coaching position within two seasons, as has been the case the previous two times he was let go. In addition, the Knicks will begin their new Head Coaching search as it is clear Ownership believes this is a championship-caliber roster and anything below a title would not be meeting their standard and belief in the team they have assembled.