Mike Brown, the Chosen One to Lead the Knicks
The New York Knicks are on the verge of securing Mike Brown, twice recognized as NBA Coach of the Year, as their next head coach. The news comes after an exhaustive selection process led by Knicks president Leon Rose, following Tom Thibodeau’s departure a month ago.
During the search, the Knicks requested permission to interview several NBA coaches, but some of these requests were denied. Despite this, the team interviewed multiple available candidates and conducted several rounds of interviews.
Brown boasts an impressive track record, including four championships as an assistant in Golden State and San Antonio, working under the tutelage of Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich. Throughout three decades in the NBA, Brown has coached a large number of superstars on teams such as the Warriors, Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento Kings.
Among the players Brown has coached are figures of the stature of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, De’Aaron Fox, and Domantas Sabonis.
The Kings’ decision to fire Brown in December, after a 13-18 start to the season, surprised many, especially after the coach led the team to its first playoff appearance in 16 years in 2023, breaking the longest postseason drought in NBA history. In that season, the Kings had the league’s most effective offense.
Brown was the only candidate who interviewed several times for the Knicks’ position, including meetings with Rose, the team’s management, and owner James Dolan.
In addition to Brown, the Knicks interviewed other candidates, such as former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, New Orleans Pelicans associate coach James Borrego, and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori.
Brown was awarded the NBA Coach of the Year award for the first time in 2009 with the Cavaliers, and again in 2023 with the Kings.
In 2007, Brown led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, although the team was defeated by the Spurs.
The Knicks, who lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, haven’t reached the NBA Finals since 1999 and haven’t won an NBA title since 1973.
