In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Rick Carlisle, head coach of the Pacers, expressed disbelief over the recent firing of Knicks’ coach Tom Thibodeau. During a pre-NBA Finals press conference, Carlisle described the news as almost surreal.

"Thibs went in and changed so much for the Knicks. To hear about his firing yesterday, I seriously thought it was one of those fake AI stories," Carlisle stated incredulously. "No way! I know how the players look up to him—it just doesn’t make sense."

The shocking dismissal followed the Pacers' victory over the Knicks in six games during the Eastern Conference Finals, effectively ending Thibodeau's five-year tenure with the team.

Despite the abrupt end to his Knicks chapter, Carlisle holds firm that Thibodeau's coaching career is far from over. The Knicks coach finished with an impressive record of 226 wins and 174 losses, leading the team to postseason play four out of five seasons.

"Ownership has the right to make these decisions, often without consulting anyone. Tom will absolutely be fine—finding his next opportunity will depend on when he’s ready to jump back in. I have immense respect for him," Carlisle remarked.

As the Knicks initiate their search for a new head coach, names like Johnnie Bryant and Jay Wright are already making the rounds in the rumor mill.

Carlisle cautioned that the success of the next head coach won't come easily. "The Knicks present such a unique situation with a massive fan base and global recognition—it’s one of the toughest jobs in the league. Many past coaches, like Red Holzman and Pat Riley, had impactful runs but also faced significant lean years."

As the Pacers gear up for the NBA Finals against the Thunder this Thursday night, the basketball world will be eagerly watching what unfolds next in this ever-turbulent landscape of coaching changes.