With the New York Knicks coming off their first conference finals appearance in 25 years, newly hired coach Mike Brown understands that the team faces high expectations heading into 2025-26.

And Brown is ready to embrace them.

“Nobody has any bigger expectations than I do,” Brown said during his introductory news conference on Tuesday. “My expectations are high. This is the Knicks and Madison Square Garden. It’s iconic. … I love and embrace the expectations that come along with it.”

Officially hired as the Knicks’ head coach on Monday, Brown, 55, emphasized that the likes of stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, key frontcourt contributors like Mitchell Robinson and newcomers Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele combined to give the Knicks plenty of options on offense.

At the end of the day, however, “it’s about relationships,” Brown said, including players and coaches holding each other accountable.

“It’s about trust,” Brown said. “Once you grow those relationships, then you can talk openly about anything that you need to go in the direction you need to go. I’m going to be open and honest with them, and I’m sure they’re going to be open and honest with me.”

A two-time Coach of the Year, Brown takes over the Knicks after previous stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings. Over parts of 11 seasons as a head coach, he has amassed a 50-40 playoff record and now looks to guide the Knicks to the franchise’s first NBA championship since 1973.

“There’s a lot of work to do,” Brown said. “But I’m looking forward to getting started.”

–Field Level Media