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Matt Barnes Shows Strong Concern For Mike Brown's Knicks

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Cholo Martin Magsino | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 1:07 AM ET

The New York Knicks are coming into the 2025-26 season with considerable hype. They have earned it after their rise to the top over the past few seasons under Tom Thibodeau.

Now that they've parted ways with Thibodeau, the Knicks have Mike Brown as their new head coach. As a two-time winner of the Coach of the Year award, Brown is a respected tactician, but people like Matt Barnes are not big believers.

Oct 9, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown reacts as he talks with center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn ImagesCredit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Now that the NBA has entered its opening week, the New York Knicks are one of the favorites for the Eastern Conference. The Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers are considered top contenders to reach the Eastern Conference Finals by the end of the season.

While the Knicks have a strong roster with a deeper rotation than previous years, some people are unconvinced about their potential this season. There are still some issues with the coaching staff that Barnes is highlighting.

Barnes is Not High on the Knicks in the 2025-26 Season

Barnes rattled some Knicks fans when he talked about how he doesn't see a good long-term future with brown as the head coach. He makes a valid point there, considering that Brown did not have the best long-term results with both the Cavaliers and the Sacramento Kings.

He did have some great spurts, leading the Cavs to the 2007 NBA Finals and taking charge of the Kings as they became the third seed in a stacked Western Conference in 2023.

Now, Barnes has clarified his comments about Brown, and made sure to talk about why he is concerned about the Knicks' long-term outlook.

"People are mad at me because I said, 'I don't know if the Mike Brown experience will work.' Maybe I used some words I shouldn't have used because I had been drinking," Barnes said about his previous comments about Brown.

"But then when he got back to Sacramento, his first year was solid because he's a breath of fresh air, has some new concepts, very smart basketball mind, but I think after that, guys start looking at him a little differently."

"I hope I'm wrong. I'm good with being wrong, and I'll be the first one to come out here and tell you I was wrong. But as far as a long-term play, I don't know if Mike Brown is the answer."

The Knicks Can Prove Barnes Wrong

As a relatively young team, the Knicks can sustain their success over multiple seasons. Brown has a good group of players, and most of them are on good contracts moving forward.

Jalen Brunson is the superstar who can take over the offense with his immense individual skill. At the same time, he is a point guard who sets up his teammates well for success.

Karl-Anthony Towns is another worthy star, as he has proved that he can be one of the top players on a contender in recent years. He only joined the Knicks in 2024, but he feels right at home with the team.

The rest of the team is also quite talented. With players like Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and more, this form can be sustained moving forward. It won't only be the 2025-26 season, as they are looking to keep succeeding and contending for the foreseeable future.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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