The New York Knicks entered this season with, quite possibly, the biggest chip on their shoulders in a long time. After years of coming up short of success or simply tanking for a future draft pick, there’s something different about this year’s roster that screams change and accountability.

It all starts with newly crowned head coach Mike Brown, who has continued to make his mark on New York through their first eight games. Whether it’s unique rotations, pulling players aside, or his rather odd selection to challenge calls, Brown is no stranger to thinking outside the box and pushing unconventional methods to see what sticks.

Communication is Key

Perhaps the biggest adjustment he’s made thus far has been the level of communication with his players. Brown isn’t just enforcing a new way of thinking about how to win games — he’s actively getting his message across, making sure his players understand why certain decisions are made. That direct, honest approach has gone a long way inside the locker room.

“When you come off, just telling you what you did wrong, and sometimes even if you didn’t do anything wrong,” Mikal Bridges said after Knicks practice Saturday. “Mike does a great job of that. For example, in the game, I think he was taking me out and telling me what the minutes were going to be. He kind of let me know, ‘I’m taking you out right now not because you did anything wrong, it’s just going to be we’re putting you back at this [other] moment.’”

It’s been the key differentiator fans have noticed from Tom Thibodeau, whose approach to coaching leaned toward a more stern and rigid style. Brown’s emphasis on player freedom and adaptability has opened up the offense in ways that feel refreshing. Moving the ball around isn’t just the new norm — it’s a complete shift away from what Thibodeau built his success on: isolation possessions and limited play variety.

The Student Has Become The Master

Brown has been part of NBA coaching staffs for 25 years, and his experience under legendary coaches such as Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr continues to shape his leadership style. He spoke briefly to the New York Post about what molded his communication habits and why he believes they’re central to his identity as a coach.

“They were the best communicators I’ve been around,” Brown said of Kerr and Popovich on Saturday. “It just seems really natural for them, and I don’t think they ever felt that you can over-communicate. So I try to take that from both of them.”

So far, Brown’s player-first approach has paid off. The Knicks are 5-3, undefeated at home, and have quietly risen to a top-five team in ball control and assist-to-turnover ratio. Veterans aren’t just adjusting — they’re buying in. Every rotation player has spoken highly of Brown’s clarity and tone, which has clearly translated to the court.

“The experiences are always different,” Karl-Anthony Towns said Saturday, “but Mike is different from any coach I’ve ever dealt with.”