Knicks head coach Mike Brown sees worth within the workforce’s current struggles.
Not as a result of he’s content material with shedding, however as a result of he believes coping with adversity now will assist the Knicks attain their final objective.
“It’s a great thing during the regular season, because it will help prepare you for the postseason,” Brown stated Wednesday evening earlier than dealing with the Los Angeles Clippers at Madison Sq. Backyard.
“It will let you know whether or not you have the components to face adversity or tough times as a group, because you’ve already been through it once or twice throughout the course of the year. Now, that doesn’t mean I like to lose. I hate f–king losing. … But I do embrace the adversity that we’re going through, because this is a great test.”
The championship-hopeful Knicks entered Wednesday on a season-long four-game shedding streak, together with Monday evening’s 121-90 defeat by the Detroit Pistons on the highway.
The current stoop dropped the Knicks into third place within the East, behind the top-seeded Pistons and the surging Boston Celtics.
“I try to stay even-keeled, because just like if things are going well, I don’t want to get too high because I’ve been around a long time. Things can go bad that quick,” stated Brown, who’s in his first season because the Knicks’ head coach.
“But in the same breath, that’s part of the season, and I want to make sure they don’t ever get too high and they don’t ever get too low. I know, right now, part of that is this is not a time for me to go crazy, because I know our guys care.”
The Knicks entered Wednesday with a 5-6 document since successful the NBA Cup championship in Las Vegas final month. Brown stated it’s his duty to “keep it real” with the gamers and to educate them by means of the tough stretch.
“It’s my job to keep the guys connected and continue to uplift guys,” Brown stated. “Guys in the locker room that are leaders, it’s their job, too.”
DEUCE TO START
Amid their skid, Brown made a change Wednesday to the Knicks’ beginning 5.
Miles “Deuce” McBride moved into the opening lineup, with heart Mitchell Robinson sliding to the bench.
McBride joined Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Cities within the first unit.
The Knicks stay with out beginning guard Josh Hart, who has not performed since Dec. 25 as a result of an ankle harm.
VAN GUNDY RETURNS
Wednesday marked Clippers assistant Jeff Van Gundy’s first time teaching on the Backyard since Nov. 20, 2006, which was his remaining season as head coach of the Houston Rockets.
Van Gundy is in his second season because the Clippers’ lead assistant coach, however he missed final yr’s sport on the Backyard after briefly stepping away to cope with a household medical challenge.
The 63-year-old Van Gundy was the Knicks’ head coach from 1996-01 and led them to the NBA Finals in 1999. He additionally served as a Knicks assistant from 1989-96.
“From day one, just coming in with a no-nonsense mentality,” Clippers head coach Ty Lue stated Wednesday of Van Gundy’s impression. “His hard-work mentality. He’s in the gym [at] 5 o’clock in the morning, prepping, looking at film, watching film.”
Van Gundy ceaselessly attended video games on the Backyard as a broadcaster with ESPN from 2007-2023.
LUE ON BRUNSON
Wednesday marked Brunson’s first time dealing with the Clippers since December of 2023, as an ankle harm saved him out of each conferences final season.
“Is he playing tonight?” Lue requested jokingly throughout his pregame press convention.
“Damn!” Lue replied when a reporter answered within the affirmative.
Lue, a former NBA level guard, then described the challenges posed by Brunson.
“Put his name every year in the MVP candidate [debate], being an All-Star each year,” Lue stated. “But his game has grown, I think, getting more comfortable. His 3-point shot has gotten better. He has great footwork around the basket when he gets into the paint. … And then being able to draw fouls as well.”
