New York's hopeful optimism led to plenty of jokes from basketball fans about the strategy the Knicks took to begin their search to replace Tom Thibodeau, who the team parted ways with after their run to the Eastern Conference finals this year.

Charles Barkley is never afraid to speak his mind -- and he let loose on the Knicks for how they’re handling their coaching search. “The Knicks gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world,” Barkley said on NBA TV during Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

New York, which fired Tom Thibodeau after losing the Eastern Conference finals in six games, has been on the hunt for a new head coach but has been denied by at least five teams — including the Mavericks for permission to talk to coach Jason Kidd.

Charles Barkley slams the Knicks for firing Tom Thibodeau without a clear plan as their coaching search spirals.

After a series of rejections for their head coaching search, Barkley says, “the Knicks gotta be the stupidest damn people in the world.”

Charles Barkley is far from impressed with the New York Knicks. The NBA legend, who is never one to mince his words, hit out at the franchise for failing to put together a plan for their head

With these reports coming out, NBA legend Charles Barkley slammed the Knicks for during their coaching search. “The Knicks gonna be the stupidest damn people in the world,” Barkley said.