Because Mike Brown is an intelligent rental for Knicks

At the beginning of this week, SNY’s Ian Begley reported that the coach chief selected Knicks Mike Brown As successor of Tom Thibodeauwhich was raised days after the first appearance of the Eastern Conference of the team in a quarter of a century. Both the fire and the hires have drawn natural anxiety from the fan base, given the historically successful mandate of Thibodeau to the garden and the mixed curriculum of Brown.

But put aside the benefit of the doubt about the president of the team Leon Rose He earned, this was an objectively intelligent rental for the Knicks as they try to take the next step and win a championship.

Assuming that the transition from Thibodeau was completely necessary – despite what the national speakers have experienced – the Knicks have done a strong and competent research to look for Brown. It was a process of several weeks that began, however comedy, however, the expert move to try to capture the coaches of the best employees of the NBA may seem.

In the meantime, the Knicks have interviewed more coaches from different levels for several rounds, finally leading to Brown. And of all the coaches available, there is an easy discussion to make Brown is the best of the group.

Brown trained in the NBA for 28 years, helping under the names such as Rick Carlisle, Gregg PopovichAND Steve Kerr. He was at the helm for Lebron James‘First term with the knights. He had some follows -Up perfectly with the Steve Nash–Dwight Howard Lakers, and then a return to Cleveland. He also won his second coach of the year with the kings in 2023-24 before being fired last winter.

Around the League, Brown is known to be a creative system and a strong connector with its players. Give the franchise and rosters involved, there is a lot of gray surrounding all four of its layoffs.

The Knicks have interviewed some other recent coaches James Borrego AND Taylor JenkinsBut they are missing Brown’s experience. Other reconstructions made such as Terry Stotts, Mike MaloneAND Mark Jackson They have been floated by the public, but they too have their respective defects and concerns.

The Knicks could have gambled on an unreliable assistant, but given the stage, the expectations and the reference force that surround the team, it may have been too large. It is certainly possible that they have lost the next Ime Udoka OR Mark DaigneaultBut it is equally understandable why they have not tested this path.

Sometimes the correct answer is the simplest: replace the coach you shot with the best replacement available. Even if one claims that Brown was not option n. 1, also check many other boxes.

Although the results of Thibodeau spoke alone, they clearly did not satisfy the standards of the front office and the processes behind them left a lot to be desired by the direction, players and the base of fans.

Few seasonal practices, late to adapt, the lack of experimentation with the patterns and concern of the popular minutes are just some of the main weaknesses of the Tibodeau era that has brought to this moment.

Of course, in looking for his substitute, the Knicks wanted a coach who would face these specific defects. Reports suggested that they want a more collaborative coach, both with the direction and assistants. One with a more dynamic approach to the schemes that would try to use the complete roster rather than relying strictly on the key players.

For the most part, the Knicks have obtained their man. If one wants to argue that Thibodeau is the best general coach, in any case. But Brown is different and different could be what this Knicks team needs.

Brown implements the crimes of movement that emphasize the movement of the player and the ball, while his defenses have characterized many aggressive and creative covers to compensate for the weak defenders. We saw the latter work for the benefit of the Knicks in depth in the playoffs with a surprising efficacy, since they spent a short time with these schemes during the season.

Their offense has never been really maximized, given the staff and individual production levels, and the unit was at the top of the playoffs. Perhaps the least heated approach of Brown to the patterns and rotations can vanish that potential … or will it simply expose the roster as more imperfect to this purpose of expected?

In the end, it is easy to understand why the Knicks find the positive side here. Given the roster, is this what they need a coach who maximizes the effort set in his systems or a malleable and more strategic coach who is still extremely player?

Obviously, in hiding these problems, Brown’s unique deficiencies will come out and bring their own problems. We will see how they are addressed during the season and how harmful they are still in the playoffs. But the front office is betting on the team that climbs higher under Brown.