The New York Knicks are sitting at a brutal 1-6 after seven games, but head coach Mike Brown isn’t just calm about it, he’s “a little excited.” Yeah, you read that right. He’s looking at the early-season struggle as a chance to see if his squad can “right now figure it out” before things go sideways for good. This isn’t the start anyone in New York wanted after a hype-filled offseason, but Brown sees a silver lining in the adversity, claiming it’s exactly what the team needs.
Why a 1-6 Record Has the Coach Hyped
Brown isn’t pulling punches on the team’s mediocre start, but he’s also not “pissed” or “upset.” He believes “everything can get better.” The coach explained that after an offseason where “everybody celebrates you the way that this lovely city did and the fans of the New York Knicks did,” it’s vital to “be shaken and brought back to earth right away.” That kind of grounding, he says, is crucial. He thinks the current struggles are revealing “some of the challenges that we need to work on.” He’s even suggesting that winning early could have created a “false reality,” making it harder to address underlying issues. It’s a bold take, but it shows Brown’s focus on long-term growth over fleeting early-season wins.
Brunson’s Slump and Shamet’s Secret Weapon
Of course, a big part of the early struggles is Jalen Brunson’s shooting. Brown isn’t worried about Brunson’s shot selection, saying he’s “taking the same shots as in the past” and just “missing shots.” He thinks most of the guys are taking the right shots, but “they’re not going in.” He’s confident that “eventually they’re gonna fall sooner than later” if they keep working. Brown also pointed out that “it happens” to the best shooters; “everybody is definitely human.” He emphasized the need to “keep embracing the little things” when shots aren’t falling.
While some shots aren’t dropping, one bright spot Brown highlighted is Landry Shamet’s natural ability to create opportunities with his off-ball movement. Brown noted that while “you could drill it, and guys will pick up on it, but you can tell (Shamet) is a natural with it.” He praised Shamet’s “professionalism,” calling him “a great person, great teammate” and saying his willingness to move off-ball “makes our team better.” That kind of unselfish play, even during a slump, is exactly the “little things” Brown wants to see more of.
Tonight, the Knicks face the 1-6 Bulls again, after beating them last Wednesday. It’s another chance for this team to prove Brown’s philosophy right. Can they take these early struggles, embrace the “little things,” and start “figuring it out?” Tonight’s game isn’t just about a win, it’s about showing that this team can respond to adversity and build a real foundation for the season ahead.
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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