Karl-Anthony Towns says the New York Knicks would not be NBA champions without the combined influence of former coach Tom Thibodeau and current coach Mike Brown. Speaking on a New York Times podcast, the star forward praised both men for guiding essentially the same roster to the franchise’s first championship since 1973.
“Both coaches did an amazing job,” Towns said. “One took us to the Eastern Conference Finals, the other brought his own style and helped us win it all.”
Thibodeau, hired in 2020, went 226-174 over five seasons and reached the playoffs four times. Despite advancing to the conference finals last spring, he was dismissed after a loss to Indiana. Brown was hired weeks later and, according to Towns, “built off the amazing foundation that Thibs had set” while adding his own “swag and flavor.”
Towns credited Brown’s lineup decisions during the postseason, singling out Landry Shamet’s shooting and Ariel Hukporti’s timely minutes. He also highlighted contributions from Mitchell Robinson, Jose Alvarado, Mohamed Diawara and Tyler Kolek, who filled in while Jalen Brunson was injured. “Mike did a great job of putting the right players in the right situations at the right time,” Towns said.
The 40-minute interview touched on several playoff moments, including New York’s 29-point comeback in Game 4 of the Finals. Towns revealed he was positioned for a potential put-back dunk if OG Anunoby’s game-winning tip had missed.
Towns believes the Knicks’ experience was decisive against a young San Antonio squad. “Sometimes, when you’re a young team, you try not to lose,” he said. “We were looking to win.”
Looking ahead, the three-time All-Star acknowledged the challenge of defending the title, especially after Robinson signed with Boston in free agency. “I don’t even know if I can look at Mitch in a Celtics jersey,” Towns joked. “I’ll just have to start laughing when we see each other.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
