Earlier in the week, Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan was fined $25,000 for basically saying that certain calls won't go in their favor against the Knicks in the first round due to officials favoring New York because they're in a big market.

Well, instead of getting angry about the comments, Tom Thibodeau literally gave McMillan a history lesson. Thibs tracked all the way back to the late 90s when he was the assistant for the Knicks to make his point.

Article Continues Below
More New York Knicks News
2025 NBA Draft Big Board First Round
New York Knicks 2025 NBA Draft grade for pick No. 51Drew Maresca ·
Leon Rose, Mohamed Diawara, New York Knicks logo with Madison Square Garden behind them
Knicks draft intriguing French prospect after Clippers tradeKris Pursiainen ·
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks to post up against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden.
Clippers trade with New York Knicks amid day 2 of NBA DraftTomer Azarly ·
New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson talks with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward Mikal Bridges (25), and guard Josh Hart (3) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.
Knicks rumors: Will NY add another former Villanova player with 50th pick in draft?Jackson Stone ·
Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego tries to calm down his team from the sideline during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center.
Knicks granted permission to interview ex-Hornets head coachBenedetto Vitale ·
Jamir Watkins Florida State next to New York Knicks logo. Madison Square Garden in the background, blue stripe at the bottom
Sources: Another Knicks 2025 NBA Draft target emergesKris Pursiainen ·

“I think the league is gonna do what they think is best for the league, but… in '96-97, we had six guys get suspended,” The Knicks coach voiced, referring back to a scuffle in Game 5 of their second round matchup with Miami. “Patrick Ewing took a step off the bench, and it wiped him out. And that was our chance, probably, for a championship. I don't think the league favors us.”

“I wish that were the case back then so Patrick could’ve played and we could’ve advanced,” via SNY.

The Knicks ended up losing Games 6 and 7 of that series. In the sixth game, they were missing Ewing, Allan Houston, John Starks, and Charlie Ward due to their suspensions by referees.

Basically, Thibodeau is saying that New York isn't necessarily a favorite when it comes to officials. While that was more than 20 years ago, the Knicks will simply have to play at a high level all series long to get past the Hawks in this Eastern Conference showdown. Officiating should never be a deciding factor.