Karl-Anthony Towns’ arrival in New York last summer immediately sparked debate: an offensive superstar but not always flawless as a rim protector. After a year as an All-Star and All-NBA selection, averaging 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, KAT has cemented himself as a core piece of the Knicks’ project. Now, though, the context shifts: with Mike Brown replacing Tom Thibodeau, his role could be redefined once again.

The Weak Spot and the Robinson Proposal

Critics of Towns have consistently highlighted his lack of rim protection, with many suggesting pairing him alongside Mitchell Robinson in the starting lineup. That combination could provide defensive balance in the paint while still preserving Towns’ elite offensive firepower.

Mike Brown’s Vision: “Not Just a 5”

In his first official comments, Brown was clear about his plan:

“KAT, we’re going to move him around a lot. He’s not just going to play the 5. He’ll be all over the floor—his ability to shoot will show because we’re going to move him around.”

These words signal a tactical shift: Towns as a multifunctional big man, stretching the floor, attacking from the perimeter, and becoming a fluid weapon in a more dynamic offense.

Why Towns Could Be the Championship Key

After last year’s Eastern Conference Finals run—the first since 2000—the Knicks are determined to end a 52-year drought. Towns’ contribution will be decisive in:

1. Stretching the floor with his three-point shooting.
2. Creating mismatches by alternating inside and outside play.
3. Balancing the lineup when paired with a pure rim protector.

The 2025-26 season could be Towns’ ultimate stage: if he fully embraces Brown’s system, New York will finally have the weapons to chase the championship that has eluded them since 1973.

New York’s title dreams start at a crossroads: Tom Thibodeau’s era is over, and Mike Brown has arrived. After falling to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals and moving on from Thibs, the Knicks entrusted the bench to the two-time Coach of the Year with one mission—take the final step toward a championship.

From Thibodeau’s System to Brown’s Horizon

Under Thibodeau, Jalen Brunson exploded into an All-Star and back-to-back All-NBA selection, solidifying himself as the face of the franchise. Now, the context shifts: Brown has made it clear he wants to push the pace and leverage Brunson’s versatility to “play in many different ways.” Translation: more transition, more spacing, and more off-ball opportunities for Brunson to generate easy looks.

Brunson’s Words: “It’s a Process, but Hopefully a Fast One”

Ahead of the season, Brunson was careful not to overpromise:

“I don’t know how long it’s going to take me, hopefully relatively fast. I’ll just keep improving… it’s going to be a process.”

A message of pragmatism and leadership: learning a new system takes time, but the goal is to become more fluent in Brown’s principles.

What Will Really Change for Brunson (and the Knicks)

• More pace, more possessions: Brown has emphasized tempo. For Brunson, that means quicker decisions, earlier attacks, and more chances against unsettled defenses.
• Higher volume of “good” threes: The Knicks want to approach 40 three-point attempts per game—but generated through penetration, ball movement, and spacing, not desperation.
• Greater off-ball usage: Brown has already mentioned putting Brunson in more “catch-and-shoot” and “spray three” scenarios. This conserves his energy for crunch time and makes the offense less predictable.
• Structured creativity: Brunson remains the hub, but expect more handoffs, ghost screens, and flares to use him as both shooter and cutter in addition to the classic pick-and-roll.

Why Adapting Could Raise the Team’s Ceiling

The “Brown version” of the Knicks aims to:

1. Broaden the rotation, limiting fatigue on starters.
2. Maximize spacing, opening lanes for Brunson.
3. Improve shot quality, especially corner threes and rim attempts over static isolations.

With an All-NBA star already in place, an upgraded context could turn New York from “serious contender” into a legitimate Finals 2026 team.

The Metrics to Watch in 2025-26

• Team 3PA & 3PAr (volume and proportion of threes)
• Pace and Assist Ratio (tempo tied to ball movement)
• Brunson’s Catch-and-Shoot 3P% (off-ball efficiency)
• Turnover% (the stress test of faster play)
• Lineup data: combinations with two floor-spacing bigs to maximize Brunson’s driving lanes.

Conclusion

Brunson doesn’t need to “reinvent” himself—he needs to evolve: same killer instinct, but with more off-ball solutions and a quicker, perimeter-driven system. If the Brunson–Brown partnership clicks as expected, the Knicks could finally arrive in June as true title contenders—this time, with no excuses.

The New York Knicks enter the 2025-26 NBA season with one of the league’s deepest rosters — but also with lineup questions that head coach Mike Brown must answer before Opening Night.

Hart, McBride, or Robinson: The starting-five dilemma

The main debate centers around who should fill the final starting spot between Josh Hart, Miles McBride, and Mitchell Robinson.

Hart held a starting role throughout last season but was shifted to the bench during the playoffs in favor of Robinson, whose rim protection gave the Knicks a defensive boost. McBride, meanwhile, has continued to impress as a two-way guard and could be in the mix as well.

Brown wants to play fast

Coach Mike Brown has made it clear since arriving in New York: he wants the Knicks to push the pace and score quickly. That philosophy could work against Robinson, especially as he is expected to begin the season under a workload restriction following his recent injury history.

Hart, with his versatility and rebounding ability, and McBride, with his perimeter defense and outside shooting, both seem to fit better into Brown’s up-tempo system.

Preseason battles will be crucial

The Knicks still have time to test different lineup combinations throughout training camp and preseason. Each candidate will have a chance to prove their value in various roles before the coaching staff makes a final decision.

The regular season tips off on October 22 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a formidable opponent that will immediately test the Knicks’ chemistry and rotations.