The New York Knicks are more or less on the same path they were on last season. New York is currently sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 27-18 record. They were also third last season, securing the third seed in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Their postseason run resulted in an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
With that in mind, it seems that the Knicks shouldn’t be worried too much about their standing in the East. However, a former NBA star believes otherwise and has urged Knicks head coach Mike Brown to adjust his coaching strategy.
Gilbert Arenas Urged Mike Brown to Change Strategies for His Knicks Team
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas recently called out Knicks coach Brown on his podcast, “Gil’s Arena”. While the Knicks may still be among the elite Eastern Conference teams this season, Arenas doesn’t like how the supposed stars of the roster haven’t been performing as efficiently as they once did.
Arenas then pointed out how Brown’s minutes management isn’t effective. In the former NBA star’s eyes, Brown should pattern his strategy after former Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.
During the Thibs era, Karl-Anthony Towns became a more elite big man than he was in Minnesota, Josh Hart was the most effective rebounder at his position, and Mikal Bridges shone as brightly as Jalen Brunson on several occasions. However, that hasn’t been the case this season simply because of the minutes Brown has assigned to his team.
“Hey, Mike Brown, I see you going through it,” Arenas stated directly to the Knicks coach. “Let me just tell you something. Whatever Thibs did last year with the minutes, do it. It worked… Mike Brown has come there and he doesn’t know the roles to give them.”
“The problem is, these roles were already set,” Arenas continued. “So whatever the f**k you got in your mind is irrelevant. You’re messing up the pecking order that was already established. You can’t make a sheep a wolf. So whoever you think should get more minutes, more time, and more plays doesn’t work here. Whoever you like and got this expectation for, we already have established.”
“He’s gonna shoot number one shots, (Karl-Anthony Towns) is gonna come in, and he’s gonna score 12 or 25. You’re sitting here trying to rearrange it? It’s the problem,” Arenas concluded.
“Whatever Thibs did last year with the minutes, do it.”@NoChillGilZero & the crew break down why the Knicks might struggle this year 👀 pic.twitter.com/PgSRA81Oc1
— Gil’s Arena (@GilsArenaShow) January 25, 2026
While the Knicks may not have much to be worried about at this stage of the season, coach Brown might have to ponder the long-term effects his minutes will have on his team, especially come the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
