The Knicks believe that Brown is the player who can help them take the next step and truly contend for a championship next season. They'll also be in a prime position to take advantage of a weaker Eastern Conference, with the Boston Celtics missing Jayson Tatum and the Pacers missing Tyrese Haliburton.

The New York Knicks have confirmed the hiring of Mike Brown as the team’s new head coach. Brown, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, replaces Tom Thibodeau, who was fired by the Knicks last month after guiding the franchise to its deepest playoff run in 25 years.

The New York Knicks liked Mike Brown’s experience with championship teams, after he worked for four of them. That sounds good to a franchise that’s been stuck on two titles for more than 50 years but believes its time to win another is now.