New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown believes his team has the experience and maturity necessary to handle the increased expectations that come with entering the season as defending NBA champions.
Speaking with Steve Serby of The New York Post, Brown discussed the challenges New York will face as opponents look to defeat the reigning champions.
Brown previously experienced the demands of defending a championship while working as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors.
“Everybody likes to play the Knicks anyway, especially in MSG, and now it’s just an added carrot to the whole deal,” Brown said.
The coach expects opposing teams to approach games against New York with additional motivation, particularly when visiting Madison Square Garden.
However, Brown believes the Knicks have enough experienced players to manage the attention, expectations and pressure throughout the regular season.
“We have a mature group, and that’s one of the main things that gives me – I don’t know if hope is the right word – but gives me hope that we’re going to take this or embrace this process like no other.
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“I truly believe that the maturity of the group is going to help when it comes to all of it, not just being The Hunted, but handling being patted on the back all year, and media scrutiny that we’re going to be under and pressures of the other things that we’re going to be under. I think that’s what’s going to help a ton.”
Meanwhile, Brown also addressed the Knicks’ decision to waive veteran swingman Bruce Brown on Saturday as the organization reduced its roster to 14 players.
The head coach acknowledged that parting ways with the experienced player was difficult, highlighting his versatility and contributions on both ends of the floor.
“Bruce, he’s a winner,” coach Brown said. “He shows a level of toughness and versatility – not just defensively, he can guard one through four, but even offensively, he can initiate the offense.”
