Knicks Hire Mike Brown Ahead 2025-26 NBA Season

The New York Knicks have hired Mike Brown as their new head coach, signaling a shift from Tom Thibodeau's demanding, isolation-heavy system to a faster, more collaborative style focused on quick decision-making. Brown, the 2022-23 Coach of the Year, brings a '0.5 mentality' to the offense, encouraging players to shoot, pass, or drive within half a second of catching the ball to keep defenses unsettled and maintain flow. Players like Miles McBride express excitement about the new culture and increased opportunities, as the faster-paced system suits his skill set and likely will boost the second unit's performance. While some experts like Jim Boeheim remain skeptical about changing the Knicks' offensive identity due to Jalen Brunson's style, others see Brown's approach as a fresh start that emphasizes relationships, player development, and a more dynamic offense. The team also added scorers like Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele to complement the new philosophy, aiming to build on their recent Eastern Conference Finals appearance with a more sustainable offensive strategy. Overall, the Knicks appear poised to evolve from their previous grind-it-out style to a quicker, movement-based offense under Mike Brown's leadership.