The New York Knicks are just kicking off training camp, but already, head coach Mike Brown is dropping bombs about new addition Andre Drummond that should have the Garden faithful hyped: this dude is “quicker and more explosive” than anyone expected. Forget the pre-conceived notions, because Brown’s got a fresh take after seeing Drummond on the court, hinting that this veteran big man might be a serious game-changer.
Drummond’s Surprise Factor is Real
Brown wasn’t holding back when talking about Drummond filling the big shoes left by Mitchell Robinson. He said straight up, “He’s a little quicker and more explosive.” That’s not some generic coach-speak, that’s a direct observation, and it’s huge. Drummond isn’t being asked to *be* Mitch, he’s being told to “Just be yourself.” But here’s the kicker: everyone else on the team has to “step up and box-out a little harder” to truly maximize what Drummond brings to the table. Brown emphasized Drummond’s veteran experience, his instincts, and his mobility, calling him a “big body” with “great feet.” He even doubled down, saying, “His feet are quicker than what you could imagine. He’s really light on his feet, which is a good thing.” That’s the kind of praise that makes you sit up and pay attention; this isn’t just a warm body, this is a legitimate piece that could make them a “top-level team.”
New Offensive Schemes and 82-Game Reality
Beyond Drummond, Brown spilled some tea on how the offense is evolving. After a year with this squad, he’s got a better feel for what guys can truly do. We’re talking about “playing with KAT at the elbow a little bit more than what we did [in the regular season last year].” Expanding Karl-Anthony Towns’ role like that? Yes, please. Plus, Brown wants to keep experimenting with different lineups and get guys like OG and Mikal more involved in the pick-and-roll game, noting he didn’t realize how effective they could be there. You gotta love a coach who’s not afraid to mix things up and find new ways to leverage talent, especially with those “great cutters that have tremendous size” that Brown plans to integrate.
But let’s be real, Coach Brown also dropped a dose of reality about the long haul. He openly admitted, “We’re not playing at that level for 82 games. You know, we played at a pretty high level, and … that’s not going to happen over 82 games. You know, for me, the 82-game season is about trying to find your way.” It’s a pragmatic approach, acknowledging the grind and the need for continuous adjustment rather than expecting perfection every single night.
White House Visit and Preseason Kick-Off
On a lighter note, the team is still internally discussing a potential White House visit. Brown said it’s a group decision, and “Whatever we decide to do we’ll all do together.” So, no solid news there yet, but it’s cool that the team is handling it collectively.
The real action kicks off soon with a preseason matchup against the 76ers on October 5. That’s our first real look at how these new insights from Mike Brown translate to the court. Keep an eye on Drummond, obviously, and how KAT, OG, and Mikal are deployed in those new offensive sets. It’s time to see if “quicker than you can imagine” lives up to the hype!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Posting and Toasting.
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