Despite leading the New York Knicks to a 2-0 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers, coach Tom Thibodeau finds himself at the center of controversy as player criticism persists.

Following a poll by The Athletic where players voted Thibodeau as the coach they would least prefer to play under, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins took to Twitter to defend Thibs.

Perkins, who previously played under Thibodeau during his tenure as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, slammed players who expressed aversion to Thibodeau’s coaching style, asserting, “Thibs don’t want to coach y’all cupcake asses either.”

New York Knicks’s Players Also Came Up in Defense of Tom Thibodeau

Thibodeau’s reputation for pushing players to their limits is well-known, reflected in his preference for rigorous practices and extended playing time. Despite this, only four Knicks players rank in the top 50 for minutes played per game this season, showcasing Thibodeau’s effective player management.

However, criticism persists, with some Knicks players defending their peers’ reluctance to play under Thibodeau. Josh Hart took to Instagram to label dissenting players as “soft,” while Donte DiVincenzo, after a passionate outburst, emphasized the best season of his career under Thibodeau’s guidance.

Even amid controversy, recent acquisitions like Bojan Bogdanovic, traded to the Knicks midseason, praise Thibodeau’s honesty and commitment to maximizing player potential. As the Knicks’ playoff journey continues, the debate over Thibodeau’s coaching methods remains a focal point in NBA discourse.