The Knicks are making some changes on their bench, as new head coach Mike Brown has begun the process of assembling his coaching staff, reports The New York Post’s Stefan Bondy (via Twitter).
According to Bondy, Andy Greer, Dice Yoshimoto, Daniel Brady, and Othella Harrington will not be back with the team for the coming season. Greer had been an assistant with the Knicks since the 2020/21 season, and Yoshimoto had been with the team for three seasons, while last season was the first for Brady and Harrington.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype adds (via Twitter) that Nick Thibodeau is also departing. Thibodeau was the assistant video coordinator and is the nephew of former head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Brown added player development coach Riccardo Fois to the coaching staff earlier this month, and the Knicks have been granted permission to speak to Timberwolves assistant Pablo Prigioni about a potential role.
We have more from the Knicks:
- Although the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals this year for the first time since the 1999/2000 season, there is debate about whether they will keep the same starting lineup as last season, writes Kristian Winfield for the New York Daily News. Winfield notes that there’s internal support to keep the same group starting and that Brown has indicated he wants the team to play fast, which would point toward no changes being made. However, Winfield adds that starting Mitchell Robinson would not only help shore up the defense but could also keep him happy as he and the team determine his long-term future in New York. Winfield looks at a variety of potential starting units, including ones that add Robinson, Miles McBride, Guerschon Yabusele, and, as an out-of-left-field proposition, the rangy young wing Pacome Dadiet.
- Despite Winfield’s unorthodox suggestion, it will be tough for any of the Knicks’ Summer League players to crack the rotation this season, especially after a not-particularly-noteworthy showing in Las Vegas, opines Peter Botte for the New York Post. Adding Jordan Clarkson and Yabusele to a bench that includes McBride and either Robinson or Josh Hart brings the rotation to nine, and the team has another veteran minimum deal available to fill out the roster. Tyler Kolek would be facing an uphill battle with a plethora of other small guards on the roster, though Botte notes that Ariel Hukporti could find himself looking at minutes if the oft-injured Robinson misses time.
- Botte also writes that Brown has a history of not being afraid to hold stars accountable, whether that was Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or De’Aaron Fox. “I’d be upset if he was just letting me skate through things,” Bryant once said of Brown. “You make mistakes and the coach’s responsibility is to point those out. If he can’t point that out to me, he has no chance of pointing that out to anybody else.” Botte considers that a double-edged sword, as such bluntness can eventually wear on players, but calls it something to monitor during Brown’s time in New York, especially given the duties he’ll be expected to perform as the primary point person for the New York media.
Ha! I’m not concerned about keeping Mitchell Robinson happy. He’s been hurt and collecting a lot of paychecks for minimal production. Thank you, Kristian Winfield from the NY daily news for your nonsense. I like Mitchell Robinson, but you know what? I think he needs to actually produce a little bit more to get another contract.
Dude’s a monster when he’s on the court. The last injury was because Embiid pulled him down from behind, dirty as hell
With Mitch it’s best to keep his mins under 30. He can start for plenty of teams. Knicks will decide during season if KAT is worth it. They can then move Mitch or KAT for value. Knicks have one big trade in them. Hukporti is ready to step us a the backup C.
Bargzzz:
Agree 1000% amount Embiid. Otherwise everything I said was true.
Is basketball Winfield’s domain? Those thoughts on potential starter considerations are comical.
“Kobe, LeBron, or… Deaaron Fox”…lol
I said this at beginning of last year. When Knicks D was hurting. And Achiuwa came back after being out 4 wks. And missing Mitch who was out till end of year.
Start Precious at the 4. Cause it helps Towns on D. And also helps Bridges get more looks on offense. Two issues Knicks had ALL year. Since it brings Hart to bench. It also would help the bench scoring and impact. Another issue we had all year. At the at that time, I said Hart could still close out gms. And he (Hart 34 mins)could still play more mins than Precious (20 mins)………. I know ……. I m good that way.
The thing is the starting team still has this issue now. We all saw what Pacers did to them last year, it’s what got Thibs fired.
So I’m all for speeding it up. Getting more movement in our offense. But its the defense that needs the most work. Knicks aren’t going to try 3-4 different lineups. Especially with kids. So don’t buy any of that noise. I’ve read Brown wants Hart coming off bench. I can buy that but who will start Yabusele????. I’m not about that. They will need to find a good fit next to Towns. And it isn’t Mitch. Knicks can still sign another vet minimum. Looking like Ben to me. Imo it’s too early to start looking for trades. Once they get going and Brown settles in. I can see a trade coming.
So, “internal support to keep the same group starting”? Comical. I’ll offer some unsolicited external advice. This is a coaching decision, decided by the HC with input from his ACs. Brown has no shot at success if he’s taking orders/directions from the FO on any of the A’s. If the FO doesn’t trust him on those, then they don’t believe he can coach.
Having said that, this team, based on the roster, NEEDS Mitch to start, OR, we need to trade for starting C that can anchor the defense. KAT can’t do it, and its infuriating watching him pretend to care to. We played small most of last year (with KAT as the only big), and, IMO, we paid the price for it (pedestrian defense). I assumed it wasn’t by choice, as Mitch was hurt for most of last year, and when he returned, his minutes were limited. Then again, maybe there were internal voices pushing for it. If Brown is any kind of HC, he’ll ignore the internal voices, and get this group back to their roots of defense and physicality. Play fast on defense.