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17 hours ago
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The New York Knicks made several offseason changes following their Eastern Conference Finals run last season, with none more significant than parting ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau and hiring former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown.
The coaching change has ushered in a new philosophy. Thibodeau, known for his short rotations and heavy reliance on starters, often played seven or eight players significant minutes. Brown has taken the opposite approach, featuring deeper rotations and playing at least 10 players in each of New York’s first five games this season.
The Knicks also added several new faces, including Guerschon Yabusele and former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson. However, Clarkson’s transition has been challenging so far. The veteran guard is averaging career lows in minutes, shooting percentage and points per game.
“I guess it’s a whole new learning [process] for me,” Clarkson told The New York Post. “New coach, new system, new team. Just trying to pick up on everything I can.” Recently, teammate Josh Hart also expressed similar feelings.
While Clarkson’s numbers may eventually rise as he adjusts to Brown’s system, his early struggles highlight the Knicks’ new emphasis on balance and depth. Rather than relying on a few stars, Brown appears focused on spreading minutes and developing a cohesive unit across the roster.
The Knicks (2-3) will look to snap their three-game losing streak when they return home to Madison Square Garden to face the undefeated Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
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