Knicks' Dramatic Evolution Under Mike Brown Paying Dividends

Just four weeks into the 2025-26 NBA season, the New York Knicks are already demonstrating that their controversial offseason coaching change was exactly what the franchise needed. After parting ways with Tom Thibodeau and hiring veteran head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks are showing marked improvements across nearly every facet of their game—and the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable.

The Bench Revolution

Perhaps the most striking change under Brown's leadership has been the complete overhaul of the Knicks' bench utilization. Last season under Thibodeau, New York's second unit ranked dead-last in nearly every meaningful category: minutes played (1,041.0), offensive rating (48.3), field goal attempts (18.9), and points per game (21.7). These weren't just bad numbers—they were historically poor.

Fast forward to the first 13 games of this season, and the contrast is staggering. While the Knicks haven't catapulted to the top of bench production rankings, they've experienced dramatic improvements. Bench scoring has nearly doubled to 35.9 points per game, field goal attempts have jumped to 28.5, and rebounding has increased to 14.4 boards per contest.

According to Daily Knicks, this transformation represents more than just statistical improvement—it reflects a fundamental philosophical shift. "Though they may have only inched up nine spots in the ranks when it comes to their minutes distribution, they have either actually or almost doubled their level of production in scoring, field goal attempts, and rebounds," the outlet reported.

Size Concerns and Defensive Adjustments

However, Brown's system hasn't been without its challenges. As SNY notes, the Knicks are running noticeably smaller lineups than in previous years, which has created some defensive vulnerabilities. The combined minutes of Josh Hart and OG Anunoby have dropped from 74.2 per game last season to just 56.6, with Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson absorbing much of that playing time.

"A recurring image in these early games has looked something like this: the Knicks miss a shot and try to get back defensively, but some 6'7" wing already has Landry Shamet pinned underneath the basket for an easy score or foul," SNY observed. This size disadvantage has contributed to New York ranking just 16th defensively, with opponents finding considerable success from three-point range.

The good news? The damage has been more perimeter-based than interior, suggesting these three-guard units could improve as players tighten up their perimeter defense and reduce blow-by opportunities. Brown appears to be using these early games as laboratory experiments, testing lineup combinations that could prove crucial in playoff scenarios.

Mitchell Robinson's Careful Reintegration

Another key storyline has been the measured return of center Mitchell Robinson. Despite playing in his seventh game of the season, Robinson hasn't topped 18 minutes since his Halloween debut, when he logged 20 minutes. This has raised questions about whether the Knicks are being overly cautious with their starting center.

According to the New York Daily News, Brown pushed back on suggestions that Robinson faces a hard minutes restriction. "He could play 27 minutes," Brown stated postgame after Monday's loss to Miami. "I didn't go back to Mitch because [Guerschon Yabusele] was playing well. But he's definitely in the 20s."

The careful management makes sense given Robinson's injury history. After undergoing two procedures to repair stress fractures in his left ankle two summers ago, the Knicks are following a load management plan designed by vice president of sports medicine Casey Smith and his staff. Brown has emphasized that Robinson's workload is "constantly on the rise," with the center gradually building back to full capacity.

Despite the limited minutes, Robinson has been impactful when on court. He leads the NBA with 12.5 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes and grabbed eight offensive boards in just 14 minutes during one recent victory over Miami—a performance that prompted Brown to exclaim, "Freaking Mitchell Robinson! Oh my God! Eight freaking offensive rebounds!"

The Coaching Search That Almost Was

The path to hiring Brown included some interesting twists. Before landing the three-time Coach of the Year winner, New York reportedly pursued Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, according to Hoops Rumors.

Speaking before the teams' first matchup of the season, Kidd confirmed the Knicks' interest but made clear he never seriously considered leaving Dallas. "I was never thinking about leaving Dallas," Kidd told The Athletic. "Understanding that we have a lot of work here to be done. I'm all in to be able to do that. I was drafted here. I have won here. I love the city. I love the fans. It never crossed my mind to leave Dallas."

Even more surprising was Metta World Peace's revelation to Bleacher Report that he "almost" became the Knicks' head coach. The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year told TMZ Sports that "some people were scared" and "some people were hating, actually" during what he described as a near-miss at landing the position. While it's unclear how seriously the Knicks considered World Peace—who has no NBA coaching experience—his campaign for the job illustrated the high-profile nature of the vacancy.

Early Returns and Future Outlook

At 8-5 through 13 games, the Knicks are navigating their new offensive system while dealing with injuries to key players. The return of Jalen Brunson from a weeklong absence due to an ankle injury provides a significant boost, though his reintegration coincides with ongoing adjustments throughout the roster.

Josh Hart, for instance, has been adapting to a reduced role under Brown's system—a stark contrast to his expanded responsibilities under Thibodeau. Meanwhile, questions persist about whether the bench depth is sufficient for a championship contender. Beyond the nine-man rotation, New York faces a significant talent drop-off, with young players like Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, and Mohamed Diawara yet to prove they can contribute meaningful minutes.

The trade deadline in less than a month could provide opportunities to address roster concerns, though the team's proximity to luxury tax aprons complicates potential moves. Some have suggested New York might pursue available free agents like Spencer Dinwiddie, Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz, or Alec Burks, though none would dramatically move the needle.

A Foundation Being Built

What's clear is that Mike Brown's early impact extends beyond simple win-loss records. He's implementing a more balanced offensive approach, developing deeper rotations, and showing flexibility with lineup combinations—all areas where Thibodeau's rigidity sometimes hindered the team.

The defensive three-point issues should improve as the season progresses and players become more familiar with Brown's schemes. Historical trends suggest teams that start seasons allowing high three-point percentages often see regression to the mean as the year unfolds. Similarly, the increased offensive pace and bench production create a higher ceiling for this Knicks squad, even if the floor feels slightly lower due to size mismatches.

As Brown himself noted about Robinson's gradually increasing role, this is a team "constantly on the rise." Four weeks hardly constitutes a complete evaluation period, but the early indicators suggest New York's controversial coaching change is already bearing fruit. Whether these improvements translate to postseason success remains to be seen, but the foundation being laid in these opening weeks provides genuine reason for optimism at Madison Square Garden.