Knicks Closing In On Hiring Mike Brown As Head Coach

[RealGM Wiretap]

The New York Knicks have been telling prospective head coaching free agents that they are nearing a decision on their position with Mike Brown widely regarded as the favorite. Brown will still require the endorsement of James Dolan before the Knicks move forward with the hire.

The Knicks are searching for a new head coach to replace Tom Thibodeau, who was fired despite the team reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.

Brown is available after he was fired by the Sacramento Kings in December.

The Knicks could also hire James Borrego as Brown's top assistant. Borrego interviewed with the Knicks for the head coaching job. Rick Brunson is expected to be retained as an assistant coach on the staff.

Via Marc Stein, Jake Fischer/The Stein Line

[jstudabaka]

By Y though?

[bockingknickers]

I don’t see how he is any better or different from Thibs. Maybe even a step back.

[Pickled Prunes]

I don’t see how he is any better or different from Thibs. Maybe even a step back.

A solid step back defensively. Probably a small step forward on offense, but I don't expect to see anything revolutionary on that end either. What NYK need is for Brunson to facilitate a little more and hero a little less. Run some sets to get Bridges and OG some easy's. Be a little less predictable. Easier said than done; Brunson is pretty locked into his role and Mike Brown runs a fairly predictable offense. We will see!

[Kent]

When this eventually goes south, what firing will be worse?

When Brown was let go by the Kings or the Knicks?

[OxAndFox]

Vivek saving some money.

[23artest23]

Thankfully, I'm not a Knicks fan but if I were, I'd be absolutely livid to have fired Thibs just to end up with Mike Brown. I thought the move was dumb at the time but it just keeps getting dumber.

[M2J]

Great hire IMO. Coach of the year a few years ago. Great defensive coach without running guys into the ground. Has coached in the spotlight. Runs an offense that can allow teamwork and get Jalen off the ball.

[TimeisIllmatic]

Mmm not sure about this one but the East is wide open so you never know.

[Phantom1974]

For such a good coach Brown gets fired a helluva lot. Can understand the concern about Thibs wearing out his guys and would be stubborn about changing his style.
Brown probably a safe bet, but Knicks should have explored a few other young head coaches other than kicking the tyres on Kidd who'll get fired soon enough.

[CaHgO]

Great hire IMO. Coach of the year a few years ago. Great defensive coach without running guys into the ground. Has coached in the spotlight. Runs an offense that can allow teamwork and get Jalen off the ball.

You have obviously never watched a single game of a team coached by Mike "the Clown" Brown

[jbrown1670]

I don’t see how he is any better or different from Thibs. Maybe even a step back.

Mike Brown plays his bench.... period.

[M2J]

Great hire IMO. Coach of the year a few years ago. Great defensive coach without running guys into the ground. Has coached in the spotlight. Runs an offense that can allow teamwork and get Jalen off the ball.

You have obviously never watched a single game of a team coached by Mike "the Clown" Brown

I've seen several. Including him acting as the head coach during a championship run with the Warriors when Steve Kerr was butt hurt and injured. He's excellent. Has coached in the biggest markets SF and LA and for LeBron taking them to the finals.

Defensive coach with a good offensive system that he's found in GS

[Luv those Knicks]

I don’t see how he is any better or different from Thibs. Maybe even a step back.

Mike Brown plays his bench.... period.

There's a debate on this among Knick fans. The majority think Thibs abused his starters, but some of us, and I'm in that smaller group, think Thibs didn't have much of a bench to work with.

Mitch was hurt most of the year and when he returned he played limited minutes until the playoffs.

McBride and Cam Payne were their only bench players until Shamet joined the team. Not much to speak of.

Precious and Sims were used sparingly. Huk eventually took over as back up big man until he got injured and out for the season.

There just wasn't much of a bench to use.

This year, with the rookies each a year older and hopefully better and with the signing of Clarkson & Yabusele. Clarkson should be an upgrade over Payne and Yabu should be an upgrade over Precious, so Coach Brown should have more to work with. But how things turn out remains to be seen.