The Knicks have hired Peter Patton as a shooting coach, league sources tell James L. Edwards III of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Patton previously served as a shooting coach for the Timberwolves (2016-18) and Mavericks (2018-23). He joined the Bulls in 2023 as the team’s director of player development and spent the past two seasons in Chicago.
The Bulls decided in April not to bring back Patton for another season, which reportedly didn’t sit well with a handful of players on the roster. One report indicated that news of Patton’s exit left some players “beyond pissed,” while another noted that players like Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis had improved their shooting under Patton’s tutelage and publicly praised him.
Patton is the latest addition to an overhauled Knicks coaching staff under new head coach Mike Brown. While New York retained several coaches from Tom Thibodeau‘s staff, including Jalen Brunson‘s father Rick Brunson, the team has also brought in several newcomers, led by associate head coach Chris Jent and defensive coordinator Brendan O’Connor.
This mean Knicks didn’t have a shooting coach under Thibs…. ???? Imo every coach should be able to teach shooting. Bring it !!
Dave Hopla was the shooting coach at one point during the Thibs era
Serious lol. Thats his name ?? Hoopsla
Does Brown ever talk defense? New system, uptempo, spacing, etc. Great! But the team was a top 4 offensive team last year (top 2 until Brunson was hurt) with a new group. Honestly, I could install “my offensive system” and the NYK would be a top 5 offensive team this year (that, even though, as a fan, I don’t have an offensive system).
The Collaborators have a tendency to prioritize fixing things that aren’t broke, and ignoring things that are. Hopefully, Brown won’t follow them down that rabbit hole.