Why the Knicks Winning the 2026 NBA Finals Is Even Sweeter for Mike Brown
Well, that's all folks, as the New York Knicks have successfully clinched a Game 5 win on the road over the San Antonio Spurs, becoming the 2026 NBA Champions. The Knicks played one heck of a series over the course of the NBA Finals games, including making a history-making comeback against the Spurs in Game 4. This championship title no doubt means a great deal for Jalen Brunson (who wins with his father, Rick, as an assistant coach of the team), Karl-Anthony Towns, and every player and member of the Knicks organization. However, the win has to have an extra special meaning for Knicks head coach Mike Brown.
It's not lost on me that Brown has had quite the storied coaching history. It's this history which, if I'm being honest, has made him my focus since Game 1 of the Finals.
Brown Beating the Spurs is "Payback" from 2007
The year was 2007, and Brown was the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, which had a young LeBron James as the face of the organization. While the team managed to emerge as the Eastern Conference Champions, when it came time to take their place on the big stage, the Spurs were waiting there with the metaphorical broom. Coached by Greg Popovich and led by Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs swept the Cavs.
Fast forward to the present, and the Spurs have arguably the next player of a generation in young Victor Wembanyama, and a "first-time" NBA head coach in Mitch Johnson, who has been coaching the Spurs since 2024. The irony in the make-up of the Spurs organization, which makes Brown the experienced, and now winning, vet in the equation, is certainly not lost on me.
Knicks Fans Were Calling for Brown to Be Fired Months Ago
Knicks fans may be dishing out all kinds of compliments Brown's way now, but it wasn't that long ago when many of them were taking to social media expressing their discontent with him. A number of fans accused him of leading the team down another path that would see them miss the finals, and even went as far as to call for former coach Tom Thibodeau to return. I said then that the critique of Brown was unfair, and I'm going to enjoy saying "I told you so" on this one.
1973 is the last time the Knicks took home a championship. That was 53 years ago. And while Brunson was absolutely a star on the court, along with Towns, Anunoby, Josh Hart, and more, Brown's experience and leadership as a coach shouldn't be overlooked. Brown did a phenomenal job.
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 12:45 AM.