The staff working alongside New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown is still being finalized, but there is reportedly one assistant coach who might be removed from their preferred list. According to NBA insider Ian Begley from SNY, the Knicks are not pursuing James Borrego, the associate head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, despite having interviewed him last month for head coaching positions. The 47-year-old coach will remain with the Pelicans, where he is well respected and under contract.
Borrego has been part of the NBA coaching scene since 2003, with assistant roles at the Spurs for seven years, followed by positions with the Hornets (2010-12), Magic (2012-15), and Spurs again (2015-18). He earned his first head coaching role with the Hornets in 2018.
Mike Brown officially began his role as head coach of the Knicks on Tuesday. At his introductory press conference, he expressed his high expectations for the team and embraced the pressure that comes with coaching the Knicks. Brown highlighted his excitement about working with the team’s players, praising their length and versatility on both offense and defense.
Fan Take: This news is significant because it shows the Knicks are focused on building their coaching staff thoughtfully, balancing fresh ideas with stable leadership. For basketball fans, having a coach like Mike Brown who has clear and high expectations could signal a new era of competitiveness for the franchise, potentially reshaping the team’s future in the league.
