SAN ANTONIO — Mike Brown: The Coach the Knicks Needed
Mike Brown may not have been the Knicks’ first choice, but he certainly turned out to be the right fit for the team. Following the controversial firing of Tom Thibodeau after a strong playoff run—the Knicks’ first appearance in the Conference Finals in 25 years—many were puzzled by the Knicks’ inability to secure a high-profile replacement. Candidates like Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, Billy Donovan, and Quin Snyder were all possibilities, yet the Knicks faced criticism for their lack of vision in coaching decisions.
In the end, they chose Brown, 56, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year. Despite being let go from head coach positions four times and not securing a playoff series win since 2012, his extensive experience as an assistant—with four championships to his name—proved invaluable. He now joins the ranks of Red Holtzman as one of the few head coaches in Knicks history to guide the team to a championship, achieving a 94-90 victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, marking the franchise’s first title since 1973.
“It’s amazing. It’s surreal,” Brown remarked after the win. “I still can’t believe this happened. I’m pinching myself.”
This championship came in the same arena where Brown had earned his first ring as an assistant with the Spurs over two decades ago. His previous Finals appearance as a head coach was back in 2007, when the Cavaliers lost to the Spurs decisively.
However, things didn’t go as smoothly for Brown elsewhere. His stint ended with the Cavaliers partly due to the team’s struggles to reach its full potential, including a less than successful experience with the Lakers. After being fired again in 2014 by Cleveland, he contemplated if he wanted to continue coaching, unsure if another opportunity would arise after his release from Sacramento in 2024.
Yet, the Knicks reached out with an opportunity to coach a contending team, and Brown made the most of it. In the postseason, his adjustments proved crucial. After a rough start, trailing 2-1 in the first round, he switched up strategies and began trusting his bench—a move that had been overlooked by his predecessors. Despite the Finals being a nail-biter, with the team often falling behind, they remained resolute about their chances.
“Mike has been an invaluable part of this run,” Josh Hart shared. “He knows what it’s like to be a champion. He understands how to build a team and cultivate the habits needed for success. We’re so grateful for his leadership. He maintains our composure time and again and truly brings out the best in us. He’s the reason we’re here.”
