Unless the franchise brings back an old friend, the New York Knicks will have a 32nd head coach handling the team from the sidelines once the ball gets rolling next season.

Orange and blue skies turned cloudy and dark for Tom Thibodeau, who was fired on Tuesday following his fourth trip to the playoffs in five attempts and a season that saw the Knicks reach the conference finals for the first time in 25 years.

Such is life in New York under the reign of James L. Here are some reactions from the past few hours.

Leon Rose

Official statement on Tom Thibodeau’s firing:

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction. We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories. Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward. Tom will always be a part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

Stephen A. Smith

On Leon Rose’s statement:

“I think we all as New Yorkers should find Leon Rose’s statement offensive. Get the hell in front of a microphone and a camera and answer questions. Stop being a coward … that’s how he’s been acting as president of the New York Knicks when it comes to communicating with the media and articulating the decisions that you make and why they are being made.”

On Rose firing Thibodeau:

“I don’t care about that damn statement. I want to see Leon Rose stand before the camera and justify firing a man that just took you within two games of a berth to the NBA Finals right after you decided to trade five picks for a guy that never even made an All-Star.”

On Rose’s overall job:

“Leon Rose has done a damn good job, nobody can deny that. But it hasn’t been a flawless situation. There are moves that could’ve been made that could’ve better positioned the New York Knicks to be in a championship situation … But it hasn’t happened — then you’re gonna issue some weak ass statement like, ‘we really, really care.’”

On James Dolan:

“It emanates from a James Dolan-run organization, who doesn’t want to communicate with the media himself. They don’t have to answer to anybody because they know that Knicks fans are still gonna show up at Madison Square Garden patronizing their product … We can’t expect Leon Rose to because, since James Dolan has arrived, that’s not something that he likes and Leon Rose seems to fit right in with that.”

Josh Hart

On Thibodeau’s firing:

“Forever Grateful. Thank You!”

John McEnroe

On the Thibodeau news:

“That’s pretty harsh. That is a bummer.”

Ben Stiller

On Thibodeau’s impact:

“I am a Tom Thibodeau fan. He brought this team back. I felt he gave every bit of himself and was always looking to improve. I will always be grateful for how far he brought the Knicks. They are relevant again. They are championship contenders again. The Knicks became winners again with him. Thank you COACH THIBS.

“We should all take Thibs out to dinner and thank him profusely one by one for the incredible work of the last 5 years and the excitement we have all felt that we didn’t feel for a long time before he arrived. Respect and wishing him great success.”

Shams Charania

On the league reaction to the firing:

“My phone is blowing up right now with executives, everyone around the league just stunned.”

On the Knicks view of Thibodeau:

“Clearly, the Knicks did not feel like Tom Thibodeau was going to be the coach to take them over the top.”

Metta Sandiford-Artest

On pitching himself for Knicks job:

“Metta is the perfect choice for head coach of the @nyknicks. Since 1999 this was suppose [sic] to happen. I’ve never ran from the city. When all the top players left NYC because it was hard, I went to @StJohnsBBall. I wanted to be drafted by the Knicks, I seemed to be the only one un-afraid of the city. I’m built to challenge the city. I’m the number one guy for the job. And I have 360degree experience.”

On his coaching readiness:

“I want every bit of the smoke in NYC. I’m 100% in and ready to HEAD COACH the great [New York Knicks]. Queens bred. Dominated my Highschool era. Three championship at the Rucker [Park] and never lost one at Rucker. 3 Championships at the real Gershwin [Park] when there was no security. Lots more on the NYC front. Had a Knick practice shirt and short on at the 1999 draft. NBA accolades speak for themselves. I basically locked up tons of hall of famers. Sorry. But light work. Metta is ready for the city. #thecityismine”

Charles Oakley

On learning Thibodeau was fired:

“Yeah, that’s heartbreaking. I mean, for what he’s brought to the team over the last five years—holding guys accountable—I don’t know who could’ve done a better job.”

On the trend of hiring player-friendly coaches:

“I get it, everybody wants to go young or hire a friend of the players. But you need someone who can teach. You don’t need to be friends all the time… That’s sad news. I like Thibodeau. He’s a good guy.”

On defending Thibodeau’s coaching:

“Those guys had him all year. He was there for them. They were there for him. It’s a sad day. I don’t know who they think they’re going to get that’s better.”

J.R. Smith

On Thibodeau’s firing:

“I don’t know what the f–k going on … I don’t get it … Back-to-back 50-win seasons, first time since when? Bro, it’s so bad I [direct messaged] Stephen A. Smith just to ask him, ‘How much is [Thibodeau] owed? What is going on?’ C’mon man! Damn!”

Kendrick Perkins

On the Knicks needing a proven coach:

“They’re trying to win a championship, so you got to get a championship-level coach. The only one that’s available right now, in my opinion, is Michael Malone.”

On the possibility of hiring Villanova’s Jay Wright:

“You’ve got to be neutral in this. You got to bring somebody in the locker room that’s not going to play favoritism toward the Nova Knicks.”