During an NBA Finals media session, Carlisle was asked about his thoughts on Thibodeau’s sudden departure.

Carlisle admitted his initial reaction was one of skepticism, given today’s digital environment where misinformation can spread rapidly. "When I first saw it, it came over one of the...I thought it was one of those fake AI things," Carlisle joked, reflecting a sentiment that many likely shared given the unexpected nature of the news.

Thibodeau’s dismissal comes as a shock not only because of the timing but also due to his recent accomplishments with the Knicks. Under his leadership, the team achieved their first back-to-back 50-win seasons since the 1990s and made their first conference finals appearance in 25 years. Despite these successes, it appears that maintaining relevancy in modern basketball wasn't sufficient to secure Thibodeau's position.

With the coaching spot now vacated, the New York Knicks are embarking on a search for a new head coach. Considering the high-profile nature of the job and the recent progress made by the team, there should be no shortage of qualified candidates eager to take on the challenge.