Following the departure of coach Tom Thibodeau, who notably guided them to their first conference finals appearance in 25 years, the New York Knicks are reportedly set to hire two-time Coach of the Year Mike Brown. Sources indicate an agreement is imminent for Brown, whose extensive coaching background includes stints with the Cavaliers, Lakers, Kings, and a long tenure as a Golden State Warriors assistant.
Knicks president Leon Rose has clearly articulated the franchise`s primary objective: winning a championship. This goal was explicitly stated in his announcement regarding Thibodeau`s exit, setting a high bar for the incoming coach.
Brown takes over a highly talented roster that is considered a strong contender in the Eastern Conference, making this ambitious expectation potentially achievable, at least initially. The article explores how Brown`s strategies might differ from Thibodeau`s, who was successful in his five seasons, leading the team to four playoff appearances and consecutive 50-win seasons, a first since the mid-90s.
Here are four potential areas where the 55-year-old Mike Brown could bring changes, which the Knicks organization and fans hope will finally end their 52-year championship drought.
More Flexible Rotation Approach
During his time coaching the Kings, Mike Brown demonstrated a willingness to alter his rotation, a contrast to coach Thibodeau`s typically rigid approach. Brown notably benched young wing Keon Ellis shortly after a career-high scoring game, following a crucial late-game foul. He also moved Kevin Huerter out of the starting lineup during a slump. Brown indicated that mixing up the lineup could yield better results by finding better fits among available players.
This is particularly relevant for the Knicks, who relied heavily on their starters last season, often seeing that unit outscored late in the season and during the playoffs. Lineups featuring reserves like Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson sometimes performed more effectively due to improved spacing, defense, or rebounding, suggesting Brown`s flexibility could be key.
Implementing a Unique Pace-and-Space Offense
Like his predecessor, Brown is recognized for his defensive acumen. However, his offensive schemes in Sacramento differed significantly from many league trends, especially early on. Capitalizing on De`Aaron Fox`s speed, the Kings ran a high-tempo, handoff-heavy offense centered around Domantas Sabonis as a playmaking hub. Wings moved dynamically off screens, challenging opposing defenses. This system, influenced by his time with the championship-winning Warriors, resulted in the Kings breaking a long playoff drought and setting a then-record for offensive efficiency in Brown`s first season.
Brown also has experience coaching elite clutch players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and Fox. He will now coach Jalen Brunson, making him the coach of three different Clutch Player of the Year winners. Despite this, his Kings struggled in tight games before his departure. A challenge in New York will be expanding the offensive roles of Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby beyond being primarily corner three-point shooters, leveraging Bridges` midrange efficiency and Anunoby`s physical strength. Brown will also need counters for defenses that target Karl-Anthony Towns with quicker defenders.
Demanding Defensive Effort from Stars
Upon taking the Kings job, Brown immediately focused on encouraging Fox, a player he had coached in high school, to become a premier two-way guard, emphasizing his defensive potential. This echoes Steve Kerr`s approach with Stephen Curry at the Warriors. This strategy could be significant for the Knicks, particularly concerning Jalen Brunson, who faced relentless defensive targeting in the playoffs, defending pick-and-rolls at a much higher rate than in previous seasons.
While Brunson lacks Fox`s athleticism and wing span and carries a heavy offensive load, Brown`s strategy for utilizing him and Karl-Anthony Towns—another player targeted defensively—could be crucial in determining the Knicks` title prospects.
Willingness to Publicly Critique Players
Mike Brown has shown a propensity for publicly analyzing and critiquing his players` performances. Following a close loss where his team failed to execute defensive instructions on a crucial final play, Brown gave a detailed breakdown of his players` errors in the post-game press conference. This contrasts with Tom Thibodeau`s more reserved approach to discussing player mistakes publicly.
Brown also publicly challenged key players like Fox, Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan during the preseason to be more vocal in holding teammates accountable for errors. This directness marks a potential difference in coaching style compared to Thibodeau and introduces an interesting dynamic for the Knicks roster.
Numerous questions face the new Knicks head coach, and more will undoubtedly emerge once the season begins. Ultimately, the success of Mike Brown`s tenure will be judged by whether he can achieve the organization`s stated singular goal: winning a championship for New York after 52 years of waiting.
