Ah yes, the NBA head coach — one of the toughest jobs in sports. Few truly grasp the pressure that comes with it. A head coach must balance relationships with players and staff, call plays, make substitutions, manage rotations, and navigate a dozen other factors that can determine whether a team wins or loses on any given night.

But perhaps the biggest task of all? Being the team’s punching bag.

Whether it’s facing the media or absorbing frustrations from players, head coaches shoulder a level of responsibility no one else can.

Accountability isn't hiding from anybody

For New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown, that responsibility is amplified under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. Coaching one of the NBA’s most polarizing franchises — in the basketball capital of the world — is pressure enough. Add in the fact that this is his first season at the helm, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The Knicks have experienced their fair share of highs and lows early on, winning their first two at home before dropping three straight on the road — their only three losses of the season. Following a blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets, Brown opened up about the challenges of adapting to his new role.

“We hadn’t been together long. I’ll be the first to admit: I didn’t know when to put Josh [Hart] in, when to take him out. I didn’t know when to put Mitch [Robinson] in, when to take him out,” Brown said. “I was still figuring out our rotations, and how we’re going to play, and all that other stuff.”

Adjusting and Adapting

So far, Brown hasn’t faced much criticism for his lineup choices — largely because the Knicks are winning. But New York is a city that demands perfection, and as history has shown, it’s easy to turn on someone when the losses start piling up. Brown, though, isn’t worried about outside noise. His focus remains internal — on building consistency and accountability.

“If you want to be great in life, you’ve got to find a way to be consistent,” Brown said postgame. “That’s the biggest thing, and that’s what we’ve been preaching. All we did was just address our third quarters… Ty [Yeaton], our strength coach, isn’t stretching them longer or anything. Our guys are just going out there, locked in, and playing.”

Brown’s early tenure has been defined by stability, adaptability, and a genuine connection to his players. Now, it’s up to the roster to reward his efforts with execution — and wins.

After all, it takes two to tango. But it only takes one team to win a championship.