Mike Brown is no stranger to the bright lights of the NBA. A two-time NBA Coach of the Year, Brown arrives at Madison Square Garden with sky-high expectations following his successful tenure with the Sacramento Kings. His hiring marks a dramatic shift in leadership for the New York Knicks after the departure of Tom Thibodeau, who oversaw the Knicks’ most successful run in decades. With the Knicks coming off their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, Brown has big shoes to fill, and the weight of the city’s hopes rests on his capable shoulders.
The Knicks’ roster, on paper, is built to contend. With a dynamic backcourt led by All-Star Jalen Brunson, the team boasts one of the league’s most formidable center duos in Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. On the wings, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby—both elite two-way players—form the backbone of a strong defensive unit. But as the Knicks learned last season, talent alone isn’t enough. Despite a 50-win season, they were knocked out in back-to-back postseasons by the Indiana Pacers, even after a significant roster overhaul.
As the Knicks aim to take the next step towards a championship, they look to Brown to solve the problems that plagued them last year. His job will be to sharpen their offensive schemes, refine their defensive consistency, and—perhaps most crucially—make the most out of the young bench players who need to develop into key contributors. Brown is known for his ability to build solid team chemistry, improve offensive efficiency, and elevate players’ individual skills. Here’s how he can help the Knicks immediately in his first year.
1. Take Jalen Brunson Off the Ball More Often
One of the key challenges facing the Knicks last season was their over-reliance on Jalen Brunson. Brunson, despite his talent and leadership, held onto the ball for longer than any other player in the 2025 playoffs, leading the league in average time of possession (8.6 minutes), seconds per touch (6.06), and average dribbles per touch (6.04). While Brunson’s ability to create offense is undeniable, having the ball in his hands for the majority of the game became predictable and led to stagnation on offense.
In contrast, Brown’s previous teams—especially the Sacramento Kings—were known for their fast pace and fluid ball movement. Brown emphasizes ball-sharing and multiple players engaging in offensive actions, making it harder for opposing defenses to predict and lock down one player. For the Knicks to become more dangerous, Brown will look to take the ball out of Brunson’s hands more often, allowing him to act as a secondary playmaker, cutting down on his time spent dribbling and encouraging more fluid team movement. This will open up opportunities for other players to shine and diversify New York’s offense.
While some may argue that Brunson’s dominance on the ball was a key factor in the Knicks’ 50-win season, it’s clear that teams with more fluid offenses, such as the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, have a better chance of success in the playoffs. With Brown’s system, the Knicks can remain a dangerous team without relying too heavily on any one player to create offense.
2. Develop Young Players More Effectively
One area where Brown can truly make a difference is in the development of the Knicks’ younger players. The team’s success in the future will depend on the growth of players like Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, and other young talent in the system. Under Thibodeau, younger players were often overlooked or given limited opportunities. Brown, however, has a history of developing young talent into impactful players.
In Sacramento, Brown helped elevate players like Davion Mitchell and Keon Ellis, who went from bench players to key contributors. With the Knicks now deep into their salary cap situation, they need to rely on their draft picks and young players to step up. Brown has shown that he is willing to give his young players real minutes if they can contribute to the team’s success, and the Knicks need that kind of leadership and development.
Even in the 2023 NBA season, when Brown won his second Coach of the Year award, he consistently used his bench to provide a deeper rotation. Whether it was Mitchell, Ellis, or others, Brown’s flexibility with his lineups helped the Kings stay fresh throughout the season. This is something the Knicks desperately need to incorporate—especially when their veteran players are often logging heavy minutes.
3. Hold Stars Accountable on Defense
Another key issue for the Knicks last season was their defense. While they have one of the best defensive players in the league in Mitchell Robinson, their star players, like Brunson and Towns, struggled to defend at a high level. Despite their offensive brilliance, both Brunson and Towns were often liabilities on the defensive end, forcing Thibodeau to limit their minutes or play them alongside better defenders.
Brown’s defensive philosophy is built around accountability and structure. In his time with the Golden State Warriors, he worked with some of the most elite defenders in the game, including Draymond Green, and he knows what it takes to create a top-tier defensive unit. Holding his star players accountable for their defensive shortcomings will be a challenge, but one Brown is fully equipped to handle.
With wings like Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, who are known for their lockdown defense, Brown will have the tools to create a more complete team defense. Robinson, Bridges, and Anunoby form a solid defensive core, and Brown will need to find ways to help Brunson and Towns become more effective in that area. This could include tweaking the defensive schemes to hide their weaknesses or incorporating more help defense and switching principles.
4. Create a Fun and Competitive Culture
One of the things that made Mike Brown’s time in Sacramento so successful was his ability to get the most out of his players while maintaining a fun, competitive environment. Brown went viral on social media for his enthusiastic participation in team practices, where he would push players to give their best effort. That same energy can translate into a more engaging, productive team environment in New York.
Under Thibodeau, the Knicks had a more traditional, grind-it-out culture that emphasized long practice hours and heavy minutes. While Thibodeau’s system led to the Knicks’ success in regular seasons, it also caused fatigue, especially in the postseason. Brown’s lighter, more energetic approach may allow the Knicks to stay fresh throughout the year, particularly in a season with heavy expectations. The added time spent in practice and the focus on player development will benefit the Knicks’ core group, helping them compete at a high level while also focusing on long-term growth.
5. Moving Forward with Mike Brown
The addition of Mike Brown as head coach marks a new chapter in New York Knicks basketball. After years of searching for the right leadership to help guide them to an NBA championship, the Knicks hope Brown’s experience and success can finally get them over the hump. With a solid roster, a new coach, and a city that has been hungry for success, the Knicks’ future looks promising. However, only time will tell if Brown can unlock the potential of his new squad and lead them to the ultimate goal: an NBA championship.
In the end, whether Brown succeeds or not, his philosophy of empowerment, accountability, and player development will have a lasting impact on the Knicks for years to come. If the team can stay healthy and continue to grow under his leadership, the franchise will once again be among the elite teams in the NBA, making this the most exciting time for Knicks fans in decades.
