Analyst Reveals Which Player Knicks’ Mike Brown Is ‘Going to Love’ originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The New York Knicks are coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory. While it didn’t end with a championship, they made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. Unfortunately, waiting for them was a familiar opponent.

The Knicks entered the conference finals as significant favorites after knocking off the defending champion Boston Celtics. However, history seemed to be repeating itself when Tyrese Haliburton hit a shot in Game 1 that went straight up into the air off the back of the rim before falling to tie the game and made the signature Reggie Miller choke sign.

Analyst reveals which key player Knicks’ Mike Brown is “Going to love”

The Knicks went on to lose the series in six games, as the Pacers proved to be too much to handle for the second consecutive postseason. It was just the latest chapter in the storied “Hicks vs Knicks” rivalry.

Some would consider a berth in the conference finals for the first time in 25 seasons a successful season, but the Knicks disagreed, as shortly after, they fired head coach Tom Thibodeau. After a lengthy search, they hired Mike Brown.

Sacramento radio host Kevin Whitey Gleason went on The Putback to discuss exactly which player Brown will love after he was fired from the Kings.

“”[Mike Brown] is going to love the wings he has with the Knicks, and he’s going to love Mitchell Robinson, Gleason said. “He was looking for some size and frontcourt defenders, and he didn’t get them [in Sacramento].”

“[Mike Brown] is going to love the wings he has with the Knicks, and he’s going to love Mitchell Robinson.

He was looking for some size and frontcourt defenders, and he didn’t get them [in Sacramento].” – @whiteygleason

Ian is joined by Kevin and @iHateShaun to talk about Mike… pic.twitter.com/ZAYkhpekOH

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) July 11, 2025

While the Kings had a talented big man in Domantas Sabonis, he’s far from known for being a rim protector. Brown’s teams have struggled on defense and having a defensive anchor like Mitchell Robinson would be a pleasant change for Brown.

Brown is a two-time Coach of the Year Award winner. The first was in 2009 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the second coming in 2023 after he helped lead the Kings to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. If Brown can bring about the offensive changes that ownership is banking on, the Knicks could play for the NBA Title next year with the Eastern Conference in a weakened state.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.