Where J.R. Smith sees disaster, Metta World Peace sees opportunity.
The two former Knicks had two very different reactions to hearing the stunning news that the team fired Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday
Smith lamented the news, posting to his Instagram story saying, “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!”
Smith also captioned his video calling for Stephen A. Smith to have him on his ESPN show “First Take.”
Thibodeau just finished leading the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference final since 2000, but fell to the Pacers in six games — the second straight year to Indiana.
The Knicks felt it was time for a new voice as they are “singularly focused on winning a championship.”
World Peace decided it was the perfect time to start his head coaching campaign.
“Metta is the perfect choice for head coach of the [Knicks]. Since 1999 this was suppose to happen. I’ve never ran from the city,” World Peace posted to X. “When all the top players left NYC because it was hard, I went to [St. John’s]. 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.”
World Peace carved out an excellent career for himself across 17 years in the NBA, though just one of his years was spent in New York with the Knicks.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks’ stunning firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau
He won the NBA Finals in 2010 with the Lakers, was a four-time All-Defensive selection, a one-time All-NBA selection and an All-Star.
As for Smith, he spent four of his 16 NBA seasons with the Knicks.
He won two championships — one with the Cavaliers and one with the Lakers.
Smith averaged a career-high 18.1 points per game in 2012-13 with New York en route to being named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.
While Smith was dumbfounded by the move to fire Thibodeau, World Peace doubled down on his job application.
“I want every bit of the smoke in NYC. I’m 100% in and ready to HEAD COACH the great [New York Knicks],” World Peace wrote on X. “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”
