The New York Knicks have high expectations heading into the 2025-26 NBA season, on the heels of a conference finals run with their two All-Stars, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
But along with their roster moves, New York made the bold decision to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after last season to bring in Mike Brown. With Brown’s conventional coaching style differing heavily from his predecessor’s, many questions have arisen as to how the two-time Coach of the Year will lead this Knicks team.
When asked by international reports about how he plans to ‘respect the legacy of what Thibodeau built‘ with the Knicks, Brown gave a blunt response.
“Well, so, it’s not necessarily my job to respect anybody’s legacy,” Brown said, according to Newsday. “I’ve just got to — I was hired to coach this team and that’s what I’m going to do and I’m going to coach the team in the best way I know how to do it going forward.”
The Knicks are playing their first two preseason games of the year against the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi. They’ll then head back to the US for three more preseason games before their 2025-26 campaign officially is underway.
Brown’s Coaching Plans
Much has been made about Brown’s arrival in New York. He was fired as head coach of the Sacramento Kings earlier last season, but has a proven resume of success with some of the most potent offensive units in NBA history.
While Thibodeau helped lead the Knicks to their deepest postseason run in 25 years, Brown isn’t necessarily worried about what has been done, but instead what can be done going forward.
The Knicks’ starting lineup has also been a major topic of discussion. During their playoff run, longtime starter and NBA minutes leader Josh Hart was taken out of the starting lineup, replaced by big man Mitchell Robinson. With a myriad of combinations, questions have arisen as to which players Brown will have as starters to begin the season.
Brown didn’t offer a concrete answer regarding the starting lineup he’ll trot out either in preseason or the regular season, but he has a lot of options on the table.
“I just started trying to put something together,” Brown said of the lineup. “I have a minutes sheet that I use…Just because I start somebody now doesn’t mean it’s gonna be like this game 45.”
Whoever is on the court for the Knicks is expected to play at a higher pace than last season. New York was second to last in terms of pace in the playoffs and second to last in average time to start plays in the regular season. Brown responded to questions about whether his style will mirror the slower pace of the Thibodeau-era Knicks.
“Hopefully, we play fast offensively, we have the right spacing offensively, we touch the paint a lot of times and try to get extra possessions on the offensive glass,” Brown added.
Knicks In 2025-26
Brown’s coaching style differs drastically from his predecessor’s. But as Fred Katz wrote for The Athletic, it raises questions all around the Knicks roster.
“Brown wants shooters streaking to the corners. He wants more fast breaks, more pick-and-rolls that begin with 20 seconds, not 14, to go on the shot clock. Do the Knicks execute this?” Katz wrote. “Does Brunson spend more time without the basketball? Towns take more 3-pointers?… Does it run better or worse with a longer rotation? Brown will play nine or 10 guys, compared to Thibodeau’s stingier approach.”
As mentioned, Hart’s status as a starter is now in question with Brown at the helm. In response to some of those concerns, he addressed them directly.
“Honestly, I mean, when you come off the bench you’re able to get a feel for the game, see what the game needs, read what they’re playing,” Hart said. “That’s something I’ve done before, something I’m comfortable with, looking forward to doing and keeping it moving from there.”
During the Knicks’ media day, Hart also said he is willing to do whatever Brown and the team ask of him. Even if he believes he’s a starter, Hart said he wants ‘what’s best for the team.’
As Katz wrote, New York will be both very similar and different from last year. Regardless of Brown’s style, Brunson and Towns will still have massive roles, with Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby filling in the cracks on both sides of the ball. Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele will be the featured stars of the bench unit.
While the role of some of their other players has yet to be determined, all of the Knicks’ roster have expressed their excitement to play under their new coach.
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