Head coach Mike Brown says the voices of New York Knicks legends, such as Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing, remain present despite not having worn a uniform in decades. Amid Jalen Brunson and the Knicks' first NBA Finals, Brown revealed the influence Ewing had on the team, including addressing the team during New York's first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks.
Brown says former Knicks players, such as Alan Houston and Ewing, who were members of the 1999 Knicks squad that last reached the NBA Finals, have been around the team throughout their playoff run, he said, during the head coach's pregame media availability.
“Pat is around a lot. He travels with us. He's in our locker room and all that stuff,” Brown said. “Alan, too. He's at practices and all of that. John, not as much. He is around, but not as much. I don't ask certain guys or even ask them much about what they're talking about, but I'm sure that they're trying to feed them as much knowledge as possible. And having that veteran presence around, especially guys who have been to the Finals, is huge. During the Atlanta series, Pat addressed our team.”
Mike Brown says that Patrick Ewing addressed the Knicks' team during their first-round series against the Hawks: pic.twitter.com/2huxcJ06Mp
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 5, 2026
As the Knicks look to grab a 2-0 lead over the Spurs in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Patrick Ewing lingers.
The Knicks drill that prepares Jalen Brunson for Victor Wembanyama
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Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson warms up with guard Jalen Brunson (11) before the game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks in game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center
Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson drew first blood against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. In his Finals debut, Brunson, after experiencing an injury scare in the opening frame, led a 14-point Knicks comeback to take a 1-0 lead in the championship series.
NBA reporter Mark Medina revealed on Spectrum SportsNet Live that Brunson's longtime trainer, Dave Williams, incorporates a specific workout to simulate Wembanyama's defensive impact. The drill is fittingly called “The Wemby.”
“I’ve talked with his trainer, Dave Williams… they do this drill that he calls the Wemby that he like holds this gigantic broom to try to block his shots so that improves his arch,” Medina said.
“When he's going up against Wemby, it's like a normal workout routine.”
The Knicks will look to contain Wembanyama and the Spurs once again in Game 2.
Head coach Mike Brown says the voices of New York Knicks legends, such as Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing, remain present despite not having worn a uniform in decades. Amid Jalen Brunson and the Knicks' first NBA Finals, Brown revealed the influence Ewing had on the team, including addressing the team during New York's first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks.