Klay Thompson of the Mavericks cherishes memories of Mike Brown.

DALLAS — Klay Thompson’s Memories of Mike Brown

So, what’s the first thing that comes to Klay Thompson’s mind when he thinks of Mike Brown? Well, he chuckled and said, “His incredible Harley-Davidson collection.” That’s one way to make an impression, right?

But really, it’s not just the motorcycles. Brown has certainly left a mark on Thompson as a coach both before and during their time together with the Warriors.

They shared some remarkable moments together, culminating in three championships, with Thompson shining as a key player and Brown serving as Steve Kerr’s right-hand man.

“And, yeah, I mean, who can throw shade at Mike B.?” Thompson added, reflecting on his time with the coach after scoring 13 points in a recent match against Dallas. “Incredible. I’ve been following him since high school.”

Brown’s journey began in the early ’90s when he started as a video coordinator for the Nuggets. It’s a long path, one filled with ups and downs, leading him to various roles in the NBA.

Thompson hasn’t forgotten that part of Brown’s career. Before an intense matchup against Denver, he tried to motivate Brown with a little reminder: “They didn’t want to hold you back.”

“It’s like a little trick to get the best out of your teammates,” Thompson shared about his approach.

Brown left the Warriors in 2022, and Thompson followed suit, joining the Mavericks in 2024. That past Wednesday marked their first meeting since Brown took the helm at the Knicks.

Thompson expressed genuine excitement about Brown’s new role. He said, “I know how much he cherishes this game. He’s a player’s coach, starting as a video coordinator and working his way up. His story of perseverance is just unmatched in coaching.”

“I’m sure he’ll excel… it’s a tough gig, following Thibodeau. But he’ll navigate it well.”

Mitchell Robinson also opened up about the mental challenges he faces with reduced playing time this season. He reflected, “Initially, it was tough, but I’ve come to terms with it because, well, you don’t want to miss the playoffs.”

Robinson joined the Knicks later than others, missing the first four games for what the team termed “load management.” Typically, he played only short stints recently but historically, he’d never logged less than 20 minutes in a game.

Still, Brown mentioned that Robinson’s minutes restriction had been lifted somewhat, allowing him to play up to 27 minutes in a recent loss against the Heat.

Robinson started at center but logged only 18 minutes of play. “I think I handled it well,” he noted. “I’m just adapting.”

The goal of this restriction is to keep him healthy for the playoffs, especially after undergoing two surgeries on his ankles in recent years. When asked about the reasoning behind his minutes limit, Robinson honestly said he wasn’t quite sure.