During his first run as a head coach, Brown took the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2006-07, only to get swept by Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs. Two seasons later, Brown guided the Cavs to a franchise-record 66 wins and a spot in the Eastern Conference finals, earning him his first Coach of the Year Award.

Brown, who takes over a Knicks team that reached the Eastern Conference finals before firing head coach Tom Thibodeau in the offseason, said the team's identity will be based on a trust centered around sacrifice, connectivity, competitive spirit and belief in the process and each other.

While the New York Knicks haven't found significant success consistently in several decades, new head coach Mike Brown understands the expectations that come with leading the historic franchise.