Karl Anthony-Towns reveals meeting new Knicks head coach Mike Brown for the first time: “We have a chance to win a championship, and that will only happen if everyone is connected” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
For 15 seasons, the New York Knicks waited for a legitimate successor to Amar’e Stoudemire at the power forward position. Ever since the 2010-11 season, when Stoudemire averaged 25.3 points with 8.2 rebounds on a phenomenal 43.3 percent from three, the Knicks haven’t had a big man capable of doing as much on the court, until Karl-Anthony Towns came last summer. Although Kristaps Porzingis and Julius Randle had some strong statistical seasons in a Knicks uniform, neither went this far immediately in their first season.
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Towns made an instant impact with 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds on 42.0 percent from three. Sound familiar? Yes, Amar’e was like that in his first season with the Knicks, and another link is that both joined the Knicks in their prime at age 28. Stoudemire never got past the first round with the Knicks, while Karl went all the way to the conference finals in his first season.
Towns spoke about the goals for next season
Just as Stoudemire once developed a strong on-court connection with Carmelo Anthony, Towns has a strong connection with Jalen Brunson, making them one of the most dynamic duos in the league. After moving on from Tom Thibodeau, who emphasized a defense-oriented system, it will be interesting to see if Brunson and Towns can take their game even further under Mike Brown. Towns himself spoke about ambitions for next season under Brown on the 7 PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony podcast.
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“I just came from having a two-hour dinner with Mike Brown here,” he said. “We never actually had a conversation with each other, so that’s the first time we actually met. We have a chance to win a championship and it only happens if everyone is connected. Everyone has to be fully invested in each other and in our goal. So, kind of just really getting to know him, his people, you know, the way he likes to play basketball, the way he wants to coach, the way he wants to operate practice and everything.”
The Eastern Conference is more open than ever
After years of wandering in league mediocrity, the Knicks finally feel this could be the moment to claim the first title since the era of legendary Walt Frazier. What neither Carmelo, Amar’e, nor Patrick Ewing managed, Towns and Brunson will try to achieve with Brown on the bench.
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The reality of these ambitions is supported by the Eastern Conference being more open than it has been in years. After making the finals, the Indiana Pacers lost Tyrese Haliburton for the whole season due to an Achilles injury, while Myles Turner signed a new contract with the Bucks.
The Boston Celtics will also be without Jayson Tatum for the next season due to injury, which triggered trades for Jrue Holiday and Porzingis, while Al Horford hasn’t re-signed. Giannis Antetokounmpo will also be without an All-Star teammate for the first time in years, and Joel Embiid’s injury situation remains uncertain. The Miami Heat lost Jimmy Butler and will be far from title contenders.
It remains to be seen how Brown will integrate with this talented group of players
With the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic in the mix, this pushes the Knicks to be the top favorites to emerge from the East. Given the playoff experience of recent seasons, that could be decisive. Although Thibodeau brought them to the conference finals after 25 years, players like Brunson and Josh Hart recognize that signing Brown could be a perfect fit, as they haven’t hidden their excitement.
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“I never had a relationship with him, but he always said kind words as an opposing coach. I always shook his hand, said what’s up, and gave him a nod. I feel the videos that we see on Twitter, like him holding the team accountable in Sacramento, sprinting on the sidelines, it shows a different side of him – like how he’s really animated and wants the best for his team. He wants to push his team in any way, shape, or form he can. I’m excited for this and see where it can take us, it should be fun,” said Brunson in the latest episode of the “Roommates Show.”
Brown’s work with the Sacramento Kings was excellent, taking the team to the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. His offensive system revolved around the De’Aaron Fox-Domantas Sabonis duo, so it won’t be new to him to build his game around the Brunson-Towns foundation. He lacked a stronger defense in Sacramento, which the Knicks definitely have with Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson still in the mix. The Knicks appear to have all the pieces to go all the way, but it remains to be seen how Brown will integrate with this talented group of players.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared.