June 11, 2025 – TNT/ESPN Studio & NBA Finals Series — NBA legend and soon-to-be ESPN insider Charles Barkley didn’t hold back this week—taking aim at the New York Knicks’ chaotic coaching search and publicly questioning OKC Thunder coach Mark Daigneault amid pivotal Finals decisions.
Barkley Slams Knicks for Misfire in Hiring Hunt
Appearing on TNT, Barkley unleashed on how the Knicks have handled the opening since Tom Thibodeau’s exit following their Eastern Finals loss:
“The Knicks gonna be the stupidest damn people in the world. You don’t have a plan?”
He pointed out that New York has already been snubbed by Houston (Ime Udoka), Minnesota (Chris Finch), Dallas (Jason Kidd), and Chicago (Billy Donovan)—and these denials suggest deeper dysfunction underneath the high-profile coaching search.
Barkley Questions Thunder’s Finals Strategy
Switching coast-to-coast, Barkley also directly challenged Mark Daigneault’s lineup decisions during the NBA Finals, wondering aloud why the Thunder altered their rotation when established chemistry was working:
Barkley called out Daigneault for a “major decision” during Finals gameplay.
That candid critique echoes the tension in OKC’s camp as they work to stop a 2–1 finals deficit to Indiana.
What This All Means
| Barkley’s Beef | Impact on Teams |
|---|---|
| Knicks | Growing optics of mismanagement. Barkley’s words amplify public scrutiny as New York fumbles elite candidate hiring. |
| Thunder | Finals intensity means coaching is under microscope. Barkley’s spotlight raises pressure on Daigneault during a tense series. |
In summary: Barkley’s blunt commentary has reignited debate: is New York’s front office directionless, or is Barkley exaggerating? And can Daigneault survive the storm of Finals pressure? As the NBA world watches, Barkley’s provocations could shape both franchise narratives as the season reaches its pivotal stretch.
Information from Athlon Sports’ “Charles Barkley blasts Knicks during head coaching search” and “Charles Barkley calls out Thunder’s Mark Daigneault”—plus Reuters insights on Knicks blocking coaching interviews—was used in this article.
