Matt Barnes Questions Mike Brown’s Fit with the Knicks
Former Teammate Raises Concerns Over Coaching Style
In the world of professional basketball, where fierce competition and high stakes are the norms, the fit between a coach and a team can make or break a season. For Mike Brown, newly appointed head coach of the New York Knicks, one of his former players isn’t too optimistic. Matt Barnes, a seasoned NBA veteran, voiced his doubts about Brown’s ability to lead the Knicks to success during a recent episode of the “Straight Game Podcast.”
While Barnes acknowledged Brown as a “great person,” he expressed skepticism regarding his coaching approach. “To me, he’s just not a leader of men,” Barnes stated candidly. He emphasized the importance of respect within a team dynamic, suggesting that Brown’s inclination to be liked might undermine his effectiveness. “Mike is such a nice guy. That’s what fs Mike up. Mike wants to be cool with everyone instead of putting his foot down like ‘this is my team, this is what’s going on,'” Barnes elaborated.
Barnes’ Experience with Brown
Barnes’ perspective is informed by his own experiences, having played under Brown during the latter’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012. He recalled that even prominent figures like Kobe Bryant and Metta Sandiford-Artest (formerly known as Ron Artest) took advantage of Brown’s leniency, saying they “walked all over that motherf***er.” This lack of authority was evident, as Barnes noted players frequently subbed themselves in and out of games.
Reflecting on Brown’s time with the Lakers, Barnes argued that while Brown might excel as an assistant coach—having learned valuable lessons from Steve Kerr during his stint with the Golden State Warriors—he struggles in the head coach role. “I think Mike Brown is a great second chair,” he remarked, highlighting the considerable challenges of being the top decision-maker on the sidelines.
Past Struggles and Future Challenges
The Lakers’ 41-25 record during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season was overshadowed by a swift exit in the playoffs, where they were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Brown’s subsequent tenure was cut short amidst struggles, leading to one of the fastest in-season firings in NBA history after a rough start the following year.
Since those days, Brown has found some redemption in Golden State, contributing to a championship run with the Warriors during the 2016-17 season. However, Barnes remains unconvinced that Brown’s past successes will translate to victory in New York. He pointed to Brown’s tenure with the Sacramento Kings, where, despite initially breaking a long playoff drought, he quickly lost the respect of his players.
“Now you’re going to a New York media market that’s trying to eat you up, every mistake,” Barnes warned. He concluded that while Brown may be a genuinely good person, his character traits might hinder him in the high-pressure environment of New York. “I just don’t think the situation is going to work because he’s too nice for his own good,” Barnes stated, leaving fans and analysts alike to ponder the implications for the Knicks under Brown’s leadership.
