Knicks villain Trae Young fires 2-word dig to rub salt in New York fans’ wounds after failed attempt in coaching hunt

Atlanta Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young took a dig at the New York Knicks and their fans on social media. It stemmed from the Knicks’ failed bid to speak with Hawks coach Quin Snyder for its vacant coaching position.

Young, who has been considered by the Knicks and their fans as a villain, largely due to his standout showing in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals, wrote a two-word comment on X (formerly Twitter) after it was reported that the Hawks rejected New York’s request to talk to Snyder.

Young wrote:

"Hell nahh 🤣"

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The Knicks' coaching post is vacant after the team fired Tom Thibodeau following their loss to the Indiana Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference finals.

Thibodeau was reportedly fired over his poor usage of his star players and generally not getting the best out of his players, especially in the postseason. In five seasons in New York, Thibodeau compiled a 226-174 record and helped it reach the playoffs four times, including the last three years.

Snyder, meanwhile, completed his third season coaching the Hawks, which finished their campaign with a 40-42 card. They qualified for the play-in but failed to qualify for the playoff proper.

Knicks talk to four other NBA teams in coaching search

Apart from the Atlanta Hawks, the New York Knicks also talked to four other teams in search for a new head coach.

The Knicks reportedly asked the Dallas Mavericks (Jason Kidd), Minnesota Timberwolves (Chris Finch), Houston Rockets (Ime Udoka) and Chicago Bulls (Billy Donovan) for permission to talk to their head coaches. They were declined each time.

The rejections were not at all surprising as the Mavericks are regrouping while the Timberwolves are steadily on the rise. The Rockets just had a breakthrough season while the Bulls made inroads this season.

Given the difficulty they are having in their search for a new coach, NBA legend and now analyst Charles Barkley ripped the Knicks for seemingly having no plan after firing Tom Thibodeau.

Barkley said on NBA TV:

"The Knicks gotta be the stupidest d**n people in the world. You don't fire no good coach like that and don't have a plan. Thibs did a hell of a job. Obviously something's going on there. You don't have a plan? … You got to have a plan, man. They don't have a plan. Now, I mean, I don't know what the hell they're going to do!"

This season. New York made its deepest run in over two decades, reaching the Eastern Conference finals.

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Mike Murillo

Michael Murillo is a journalist who covers basketball and MMA at Sportskeeda with over two decades of experience. Michael has contributed as a proofreader, columnist and journalist for the Philippine broadsheet BusinessWorld.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines with a degree in English Studies, basketball caught Michael's imagination from an early age. Varsity basketball helped Michael to express himself, and later, it opened doors into the world of journalism.

Michael has a particular admiration for the Phoenix Suns, inspired by Kevin Durant. Icons like Magic Johnson and modern legends like Durant have left an indelible mark on Michael for their revolutionary impact on the game.

Michael relies on the tried and tested method of thorough research to ensure accuracy in his content. He has interviewed multiple NBA players and officials with BusinessWorld, alongside athletes from various disciplines.

Michael's hobbies include traveling, hitting the gym and watching movies, and he spends much of his downtime seeing his family.

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