New York (AFP) – Two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown says he is embracing the expectations that come with taking the helm of the New York Knicks, a storied NBA franchise that has gone without a title for 52 years.
“Nobody has any bigger expectations, first of all, than I do,” Brown told reporters at the Knicks’ practice facility on Tuesday, a day after the team confirmed he had been hired to replace sacked Tom Thibodeau. “My expectations are high. This is the Knicks and Madison Square Garden. It’s iconic. I love and embrace the expectations that come along with it.”
Related news
The Knicks, who have not won an NBA title since 1973, reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000, but lost to the Indiana Pacers. That was enough to prompt the Knicks to fire Thibodeau last month after he spent five years as head coach.
“I thought Tom Thibodeau did a great job and the guys did a fantastic job last year,” said Brown, adding he feels the Knicks roster is “outstanding.” “What they did in the playoffs shows their potential,” Brown said, praising the versatility of Jalen Brunson and the offensive potential of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. But Brown added there was “a lot of work to be done.”
“I’ve had great conversations with all our players and I’m looking forward to growing positive, strong relationships with all of them over time,” he said. “We can’t skip any steps. It’s about one day, one practice, one shootaround at a time.”
Brown, 55, has won four NBA titles as an assistant coach, one with the San Antonio Spurs and three with the Golden State Warriors. He has a 454-304 record as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento Kings. In the 2023 campaign, he guided Sacramento to 48 wins and their first playoff appearance since 2006. He earned his second Coach of the Year award in an unprecedented unanimous vote, but the Kings fired him last December after a 13-18 start.
Brown took the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007, but after earning his first Coach of the Year award with the Cavs, he was fired in 2010. He returned to the Cavaliers in 2013 but was sacked again after one season. His spell with the Lakers lasted less than two seasons.
“I’ve been to six Finals with three different teams, and the commonality that they all had is sacrifice for one another,” Brown said. “At the end of the day, it’s about relationships. I’m going to be open and honest with (players), and I’m sure they’re going to be open and honest with me.”
© 2024 AFP
