Getty Image / Sarah Stier
For a while, Tom Thibodeau felt like the perfect coach for Jimmy Butler. Butler blossomed under Tom Thibodeau with the Bulls from 2011-2015, and the two teamed up in Minnesota for the 2017-2018 season.
But, things fell apart for the pair in Minnesota, and the two wouldn’t be considered friends now. This week, Jimmy Butler made comments that painted the current Knicks coach in a bad light and Thibodeau responded on Sunday.
Jimmy Butler’s season is over, as the Heat star picked up an injury in the team’s Play-In loss to the Sixers that kept him out for the team’s 4-1 series loss to the Boston Celtics.
Meanwhile, Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks advanced to the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs for the second straight season and will take on the Indiana Pacers starting on Monday. Last year, Butler’s Heat beat the Knicks in six games, and eventually made a run to the NBA finals.
Jimmy Butler posted a video on social media on Saturday. Butler claimed that they would’ve beat the Celtics if he was healthy, insulted the Knicks, and then went after Tom Thibodeau.
“I love Thibs, but I don’t want Thibs. Thibs, I love you baby, but I want to beat you to a pulp. You want me. I don’t want you. It’s like a one-sided relationship.
“You in love with me and I love you but I’m not in love with you, you know what I’m saying.”
At Sunday’s media availability, Tom Thibodeau fired back.
Asked about Jimmy Butler’s comments Thibs said, who? Before adding, “But i will beat him to a pulp.”
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) May 5, 2024
He was clearly joking about the beating him to a pulp part.
These two should simply remember the good times, like when Thibodeau turned Jimmy Butler into a star in Chicago after being taken with the 30th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.