Latest news with #InsidetheKnicks
New York Post
09-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Mike Brown raves about ‘unbelievable' versatility new additions bring to Knicks
The Knicks will have a different look on the bench, and not just because the coach will be Mike Brown instead of Tom Thibodeau. The second unit is also going to have new makeup, after the free agent signings of high-scoring guard Jordan Clarkson (Jazz) and high-upside forward Guerschon Yabusele (76ers). Advertisement On the day he was introduced as Thibodeau's replacement, Brown raved about the duo. 'Again the versatility that Leon [Rose, team president] keeps adding to this team is unbelievable,' Brown told MSG Network. 'Jordan, the things that he can do, especially offensively. He's a veteran guy. I know he's hungry to win. He can score at all three levels. You're excited with that coming to the table. He's also a better playmaker than he's given credit [for]. I'm looking forward to seeing some of that, too, because I'm huge when it comes to touching the paint and looking to spray that basketball out to get your teammates easy shots. 'And then Guerschon, an unbelievable young man. His size, his versatility, he can play the four, the five, maybe some three, who knows?' Advertisement Lack of depth was a problem for the Knicks last year. They were dead last in bench scoring at 21.7 points (the Lakers were second to last at 26.2). But with a second unit of the two newcomers, Miles McBride and either Mitchell Robinson or Josh Hart, the reserves could be much improved. Knicks head coach Mike Brown said during his introductory press conference as the the Knicks head coach on July 8, 2025 that he his happy the team signed Jordan Clarkson (above) and Guerschon Yabusele. Getty Images Advertisement Several times on Tuesday, Brown alluded to liking to push tempo. The Knicks were more of a plodding team under Tom Thibodeau, ranking 26th in the league in pace a year ago. Expect that to change. Mike Brown talks with the media during his introductory press conference as the Knicks' new head coach on July 8, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Advertisement 'Offensively, a lot of people know — we did it in Sacramento — I like to play fast,' Brown said. 'We're going to try to play fast, make sure the floor is spaced the right way.' Brown seemed open to playing Karl-Anthony Towns and Robinson together in a two-big lineup, but he was noncommittal on how he would use them. What's happening on and off the Garden court Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters 'Once I get my staff together and we dive more into it, we'll figure out all those types of things,' he said. 'I'm excited that they're both on the team because they're two different players. Mitch is a vertical threat. KAT, as you know, is a space threat. And so to have the versatility that those two guys bring to the table is gonna be a lot of fun.'
New York Post
02-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Knicks hiring Mike Brown to lead new era with heightened expectations
The Knicks' new coach arrives with a long history in the business, a career of highs and lows, and metric tons of pressure to win immediately. Mike Brown agreed to replace Tom Thibodeau on the sideline on Wednesday, ending a month-long search with more plot twists than a season of 'Breaking Bad.' As a 55-year-old and a four-time fired head coach, Brown represents neither the most obvious nor most exciting choice. If the Knicks struggle, heat will fall quickly on the front office. But Brown is also a safe pick with over 750 regular-season games, a 60% winning percentage and two Coach of the Year awards. Advertisement The Knicks have hired Mike Brown. Getty Images More than anything, he brings experience to almost every NBA circumstance. Brown worked with most of the all-time greats of a generation, serving as either the head coach or assistant to rosters with Tim Duncan, Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant. Advertisement He grew from the Popovich tree in San Antonio, winning titles as an assistant with the Spurs and then under Steve Kerr in Golden State. As a head coach, Brown was less successful in the playoffs. His only Finals appearance was nearly 20 years ago with the Cavs, when LeBron James carried a group of ragtags into an overmatched 2007 series against the Spurs. He flamed out quickly in subsequent stops, notably lasting only 71 games with the Lakers as Phil Jackson's replacement. More recently, Brown guided the Kings to their first playoffs in 18 years. He cultivated a high octane offense behind De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, demonstrating his versatility after being labeled defensive-minded earlier in his career. But Brown was fired less than two years later – the fourth time he was canned as a head coach. The Knicks gig brings opportunity for legendary status. The franchise is enduring a drought of over 50 years without a title but enters next season with legitimate Finals aspirations. With Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton recovering from Achilles surgeries, an argument could be made that the Knicks are early favorites to emerge from the East. Last season, they surpassed expectations by beating the Celtics and advancing to their first conference finals in 25 years. Jalen Brunson continued his ascension to superstardom. But the front office and ownership still canned Thibodeau, a shocking move considering his success and his three-year extension approaching $40 million that hadn't even started yet. Advertisement What's happening on and off the Garden court Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters In a new coach, the Knicks are prioritizing some of the issues that led to Thibodeau's dismissal – they are emphasizing player development, expanding the rotation, empowering the staff, collaborating with the front office and assigning roles to assistants like defensive and offensive coordinators. Thibodeau didn't embrace those instructions but did plenty of winning. He finished fourth on the franchise's all-time list with 226 wins, behind only Red Holzman, Joe Lapchick and Jeff Van Gundy. His five seasons at the helm were the most since Van Gundy. His four playoff series victories were more than the 12 previous Knicks coaches combined. So Brown, who hasn't won a playoff series as a head coach since 2012, is filling big shoes. And through no fault of his own, Brown's hiring feels like a consolation prize. Advertisement The Knicks started their search with rejected attempts to attract head coaches under contract, with denials from the teams employing Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, Billy Donovan and Quin Snyder. They then redirected the search toward Brown and Taylor Jenkins, who, according to sources, fell behind after projecting less enthusiasm for the job. Brown, in some ways, became the fallback option. And it won't matter if the Knicks live up to their lofty expectations.
New York Post
09-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Knicks, Jason Kidd have mutual interest in potential coaching blockbuster
The interest between coaching target Jason Kidd and the Knicks is mutual, The Post has confirmed. Kidd remains under contract with the Mavericks, but the Hall of Famer is open to discussing the Knicks head coach job, vacant after the firing of Tom Thibodeau last week, a source told Post beat writer Stefan Bondy. Earlier Monday, ESPN's Brian Windhorst described the Kidd situation as 'mutual intrigue' with the Knicks. Kidd, who played for the Knicks in the final year of his NBA career in 2012-13, has coached the Mavericks for the past four seasons, including a trip to the NBA Finals a year ago. He also has a strong relationship with All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, who played his first four pro seasons with the Mavs, including one under Kidd's tutelage in 2021-22. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd and the Knicks have mutual interest, The Post confirmed. Getty Images Veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported on his Substack account Friday that the Knicks would formally ask for permission to speak with Kidd, but it is unclear if that request officially has been made. Dallas missed the playoffs after trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February before winning the NBA draft lottery last month for the right to draft Duke star Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick. Kidd previously coached the Nets and the Bucks, and he's close with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, a potential blockbuster trade target for the Knicks this summer after they lost to Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals. The Post reported Saturday that former Villanova coach Jay Wright is not interested in the position. Ime Udoka is another current NBA coach the Knicks have considered pursuing, but ESPN reported that the Rockets will not grant teams permission to speak with him. The Post also has reported that former Nuggets coach Mike Malone is not expected to be a candidate. What's happening on and off the Garden court Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Kidd signed a two-year contract extension through 2026-27, per Stein, with the Mavericks during last year's postseason run, so a move to the Knicks likely would require compensation. Jason Kidd (l.) and Jalen Brunson (r.) with the Mavericks in 2022. NBAE via Getty Images The Celtics received an unprotected first-round pick as compensation after the Clippers hired Doc Rivers in 2013, and the Nets recouped two second-round picks when Kidd was hired by the Bucks the following year.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tyrese Haliburton claps back at Ben Stiller after sending Knicks packing from playoffs
Ben Stiller talked his trash and paid the price. The actor and die-hard Knicks fan joked before Game 6 that Tyrese Haliburton 'brought his duffel for the flight to NY' after seeing footage of the Pacers point guard dressed in all black. Advertisement After the Pacers eliminated the Knicks with a 125-108 win, Haliburton clapped back. 'Nah, was to pack y'all up,' Haliburton posted on X in response to Stiller. Indeed, it was likely a long night for Stiller, who was a regular at Knicks playoff games throughout the team's run, though he did not appear to make the trip for Game 6 after doing so for Game 4. Haliburton's clapback was well-earned. He outplayed counterpart Jalen Brunson in Saturday's Game 6, putting up 21 points with 13 assists, much of it coming in the second half when the Pacers broke the game open. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrates during the team's Game 6 Eastern Conference finals win over the Knicks on May 31, 2025. Getty Images Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) greets Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) after Indiana's Game 6 win to clinch the Eastern Conference finals on May 31, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Brunson, meanwhile, was locked up by Andrew Nembhard after a masterful adjustment by Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. The Knicks' leading man scored 19 but was 8-for-18 from the field and never got going with the season on the line. Advertisement After Haliburton beat out Brunson for a spot on the Olympic team last year, he justified that controversial decision in this series. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. Haliburton, who flashed the choke sign after the Knicks blew Game 1 of the series, became a villain at Madison Square Garden this series as a result — a status only enhanced now by taking on one of the Garden's most recognizable celebrities. The Pacers will face the Thunder in the NBA Finals, the first time Indiana has played for a championship since 2000, when it lost to the Lakers. Ben Stiller (r.) with Timothée Chalamet (l.) and Kylie Jenner (r.) during Knicks-Pacers Game 5 on May 29, 2025. Getty Images The Pacers have never won an NBA title. The Thunder technically won in 1979 when they were the Seattle Supersonics, but haven't done so since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008. Game 1 is Thursday at 8:30 p.m. in Oklahoma City and will air on ABC.
New York Post
02-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Jalen Brunson ‘overconfident' Knicks can take next step
This was not about a moral victory. It wasn't about taking solace in anything after a hard-fought series. Advertisement Jalen Brunson wanted to make that clear. He didn't view the Knicks reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years as any sort of achievement. The Knicks captain, however, felt it was appropriate to acknowledge what went right this year for the Knicks, even if they fell six wins short of their ultimate goal. 'I'm not sure 'accomplished' is the word I would use here, but I think the way this team progressed this year, for me it was fun,' Brunson said after the Knicks were eliminated by the Pacers in six games Saturday night. 'There were a lot of people saying we couldn't do a lot of things. A lot of negativity around what we were trying to accomplish and the way we put blinders on and went to work, that's something I was proud of with this team. I'm proud of how we stayed the course.' Advertisement Jalen Brunson reacts during the fourth quarter of the Knicks' Game 6 loss to the Pacers on May 31. Charles Wenzelberg The Knicks had a strong regular season, winning 51 games, their most since the 2012-13 season. Despite that, they entered the playoffs mostly an afterthought as far as contenders go, largely due to their 0-8 record against the top two seeds in the East, the defending champion Celtics and Cavaliers. Advertisement Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. But the Knicks stunned Boston in the second round, rallying from 20-point deficits at TD Garden in each of the first two games. They played deeper into the spring than expected. In the losing locker room, there was frustration and disappointment, but also optimism for the future. Advertisement Jalen Brunson drives with the ball during the Knicks' Game 6 loss to the Pacers on May 31. Charles Wenzelberg A belief that there is more to come from this group. It was their first year together, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges joining the Brunson-led core that also included Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Miles McBride. That entire group is under contract next season, and Brunson believes it can take the next step together. 'The most confident. Overconfident. Seriously,' Brunson said. 'There's not an ounce of any type of doubt that I'm not confident with this group. 'We have a lot of guys who are on this team, and I feel like you guys always ask, 'what do you work on whenever you come back?' and stuff like that,' he added. 'And from what I've seen, no one's really out there posting themselves about the things that they do. We have a lot of guys that just genuinely want to work hard to be better, and I like that, and I appreciate my teammates and everything they do and everything they believe in.'
