New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown shared a humorous response Wednesday when asked whether he had contacted longtime mentor Gregg Popovich for advice before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
Brown, who previously served on Popovich's staff with the San Antonio Spurs, now finds himself preparing to lead the Knicks into their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 against the franchise his mentor guided to five NBA championships.
The moment offered a lighthearted glimpse into the relationship between mentor and protege ahead of Brown's first NBA Finals appearance as Knicks head coach against the franchise where Popovich spent nearly three decades building one of the league's greatest dynasties.
SNY Knicks took to X, formerly Twitter, sharing the response from Brown during his NBA Finals media availability ahead of Game 1.
Mike Brown was asked if he's reached out to Gregg Popovich for advice ahead of the NBA Finals:
"If I reached out to him and asked him for some advice, he'd give me some BS that worked against us" 😂 pic.twitter.com/3x2XhhZgO0
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 3, 2026
Article Continues Below
Brown’s connection to Popovich dates back more than two decades. He served as an assistant under the future Hall of Famer from 2000-03 and helped the Spurs capture the 2003 NBA title before embarking on head coaching stops with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento Kings. He now leads the Knicks into their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
The exchange came as Brown prepares for a unique Finals matchup against the organization where he began his rise through the NBA coaching ranks. Following the joke, Brown explained his choice of words by referencing a recent conversation with his mother, who had scolded him for using stronger language in front of his young grandson the night before.
While the comment drew laughs from reporters, it also underscored the respect between Brown and Popovich. Brown now leads a Knicks team making its first Finals appearance in 27 years against a Spurs team led by head coach Mitch Johnson and superstar Victor Wembanyama.
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown shared a humorous response Wednesday when asked whether he had contacted longtime mentor Gregg Popovich for advice before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals. Brown, who previously served on Popovich's staff with the San Antonio Spurs, now finds himself preparing to lead the Knicks into their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 against the franchise his mentor guided to five NBA championships.