Knicks Bid Farewell to Key Assistant Coach

The Knicks are set to lose a significant member of Mike Brown’s coaching team.

Jordan Brink, who served as the director of video services and player development for the team, has accepted a position with the Bulls as an assistant coach on Thiago Splitter’s staff, as confirmed by the Post.

In the past two years, Brink played a crucial role in overseeing the Knicks’ challenges, achieving notable success under both Tom Thibodeau and Brown. The team, thanks to Brink’s expertise, often outperformed their rivals in this regard.

This departure is a substantial loss for the Knicks, prompting the need for someone else to step into that role moving forward.

“Jordan’s a master at this,” Brown remarked previously.

Fans may recall Brink’s pivotal influence when he advised Brown to challenge a call late in the fourth quarter during Game 2 of the NBA Finals, which resulted in a tightly contested 105-104 win against the Spurs at Frostbank Center.

During that match, the Knicks lost a 14-point lead, and with just 2:37 remaining, the ball was ruled out of bounds off OG Anunoby. However, Brink urged Brown to challenge the ruling, arguing that Anunoby had been fouled while attempting a three-pointer.

Upon review, the decision was overturned, awarding Anunoby three free throws instead. This successful challenge not only restored the Knicks’ lead but also disrupted the Spurs’ momentum.

“He’s done this two years in a row,” Brown commented after the game, acknowledging Brink’s critical support. “I rely completely on him. There are times I get emotional and want to argue with the refs even though I like them, but that seldom works. I try to follow Jordan’s lead, but this was all him.”

Brink’s contract is concluding, and the new position with the Bulls represents a promotion.

Given the crowded coaching staff with the Knicks, there isn’t room for advancement, making this move even more significant.

While reports suggest that Brown’s main front-bench assistants are likely to stay, the Knicks’ future remains a bit unclear.

Additionally, lower-level assistant Carson Shanks recently departed due to an expiring contract earlier in the offseason.

Brink has aspirations of becoming a head coach, and this opportunity allows for a more straightforward path toward that ambition while also bringing him closer to his roots in Indiana. He played at Calvin College and began his coaching journey in the NBA as an assistant with the Pistons under Dwane Casey.

Joining the Knicks in 2023 as part of Thibodeau’s staff, Brink was retained by Brown when he took over last year. Over his three years with the Knicks, Brink not only led the challenge efforts but also coached the summer league team.

Brink will exit the Knicks as a champion, but the team will now face the challenge of filling the gap he leaves behind.