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Mike Brown is officially in the fold, and not a minute too soon.
The Knicks announced the hiring of their new coach on Monday, ahead of Tuesday’s introductory press conference.
“I would like to thank Leon Rose, William Wesley, and the entire New York Knicks organization for this opportunity,” Brown said in a statement. “I am excited to get to work and help lead this talented group of players. New York City is a basketball Mecca, and I am thrilled to be a part of this storied franchise. I look forward to the challenge of bringing a winning culture to the Knicks.”
The 55-year-old inked a four-year deal worth $40 million according to SNY, stepping into the void left by Tom Thibodeau’s shocking firing after the Knicks failed to get past the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year, was fired midseason by the Kings — six months after Sacramento gave him a contract extension.
He quickly became one of the top candidates to replace Thibodeau, with the Knicks connected to — but seemingly unable to lure — current NBA coaches Jason Kidd (Mavericks), Ime Udoka (Rockets), Billy Donovan (Bulls) and others.
“I would like to welcome Mike Brown to New York and the Knicks organization,” owner James Dolan said in a release. “Leon and our staff ran a thorough and thoughtful process that led our organization to Mike, and I’m pleased to see him on the sideline for us next season.”
The Knicks become the fourth team helmed by Brown in his two-plus decades on NBA staffs after stints with the Cavaliers, Lakers and Kings. He brings a 454-304 career mark, with a 50-40 postseason record.
Knicks brass apparently have faith he can better the 2005-06 Eastern Conference championship he captured with Cleveland before getting swept by the Spurs in the NBA Finals.
That’s further than Thibodeau was able to lead the Knicks in five years, despite bringing the team to the playoffs in four of his five seasons at the Garden.