The New York Knicks confirmed that Mike Brown will become their next head coach. He comes in after the franchise fired Tom Thibodeau following their Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Despite making their deepest playoff run in 25 years, Brown comes in to replace Thibodeau on a Knicks team that has high expectations for next season. In their podcast, Roommates Show, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart commented on their first impressions of their new head coach.
“I never had a relationship with him, but he always said kind words as an opposing coach. Always shook his hand, said what’s up, give him a head nod,” Brunson said. “He’s really animated, he wants the best for his team, he wants to push his team in any way, shape, he can. So I’m excited for this and I’m excited to see where he can take us. It should be fun.”
The Sacramento Kings fired Brown in December 2024 after they had a 13-18 start to the season. He spent the two previous years with the Kings, winning the NBA’s Coach of the Year award in 2023 and leading them to their first playoff appearance in 16 years.
Brunson And Hart Gave Praise
The Knicks finished the regular season with 51 wins, their most in more than a decade. While Thibodeau was behind two of their most successful seasons in 25 years, they instead chose to hire Brown, who has a long history of winning in the NBA.
“Obviously, he’s been a part of some great organizations,” Hart added. “[He is] someone who I think will work well with the personality and personnel that we have already. It’s going to be great.”
Brunson also mentioned that in the little time he and Brown have spent together, he respects Brown’s coaching journey and new role in New York.
“Just getting to know him, know his background,” Brunson said. “He’s had a great journey to be where he’s at now. I have a lot of respect for guys who work hard, and I feel like he’s worked very hard to be in his position that he’s in.”
Brown previously spent time on the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach, where he won championships in 2017, 2018, and 2022. Before that, he had stints leading the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2011-12 season and the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-10 and 2013-14, winning Coach of the Year in 2009.
Knicks’ Offseason Additions
After the Knicks made their run to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, they’ve loaded up on more talent this summer. In a shift from Thibodeau’s shortened rotations and star-heavy approach, especially in the postseason, New York added valuable bench depth.
Most notably, the Knicks signed free agents Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele over the offseason. Hart praised the additions, stating how both will add to the team’s depth and versatility.
“Great depth. A lot of versatility, able to play big man, fast, able to slow down the pace,” Hart said. “I don’t think its going to be something that’s built in one day… But extremely excited.”
“He’ll be a great addition in terms of role and also as a locker room guy,” he added on his former teammate in Clarkson. “And obviously, when [Yabusele] broke out [at the] Olympics, he was hooping.”
Even though New York had a historic 2024-25 season, their firing of Thibodeau and hiring of Brown shows that the front office wasn’t satisfied with just a conference finals appearance.
Under Brown with Brunson, Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and their new additions, they head into the 2025-26 season with hopes of winning the franchise’s first title since 1973.
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