Knicks President Leon Rose Reflects on Coaching Change

While it may seem like old news, this marks the first time Knicks president Leon Rose has discussed his decision regarding the coaching staff. The choice to part ways with Tom Thibodeau and bring in Mike Brown last year wasn’t highly contested since it ultimately led to a championship. However, Rose is typically quite reserved when it comes to media interactions.

He finally honored a promise made to players Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart by appearing on the Roommate Show podcast after the Knicks’ victory. When asked about the coaching transition, Rose shared, “It was tough.” He acknowledged Tom Thibodeau’s contributions, calling him a “great coach” who had done a lot for the organization but added that a change in voice and philosophy was necessary. Rose also emphasized his longstanding relationship with Brown, having known him as LeBron James’s agent during their time in Cleveland. The connection, he mentioned, made it easier to trust his intuition.

“We went through a process and looked for specific attributes,” Rose explained. “We established criteria that were crucial, analyzed our options, and ultimately brought in five candidates. We evaluated them comprehensively before making our decision.”

One pivotal requirement was finding a coach who could offer more support than Thibodeau had. That became a significant consideration in choosing Brown.

“His openness and willingness to share ideas stood out,” Rose noted. “He was receptive to suggestions from both the front office and his staff. That flexibility contributed to several adjustments throughout the season. Initially, he may have had a set approach, but as the season progressed, he adapted—and so did our team.”

Since Rose doesn’t often speak publicly, here are a few other noteworthy remarks from his podcast appearance:

• On the backlash surrounding Mikal Bridges due to his cost and performance: “It bothered me a lot. It wasn’t about Mikal; it was the cost we were willing to pay to secure that deal, which we believed was essential for solidifying the group.”
• When reflecting on the aggressive pursuit of Brunson: “I faced a lot of criticism when we went after Jalen, but now people view it differently. Back then, people thought we overpaid. I had complete confidence in him since I’ve known him for so long.”
• Concerning the losses to the Pacers and how that influenced strategy: “Going against Indiana was exhausting, and we faced injuries. Our aim was to learn from that and strengthen our approach.”
• On the significance of acquiring Jose Alvarado mid-season: “The process involved quite a few intricate steps, allowing us to get a player on an expiring contract. We needed another ball handler to relieve some pressure.”