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New York Knicks: Ranking the greatest coaches in franchise history

By Maxwell Ogden

May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy during game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy during game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN broadcaster Hubie Brown during the NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN broadcaster Hubie Brown during the NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Hubie Brown

Tenure: 1982-1987
Regular Season Record: 142-202 (.413)
Postseason Record: 8-10 (.444)
Accolades: N/A

Hubie Brown’s overall record paints the picture of a coach who doesn’t deserve to be on this list. Brown’s record suffered from the devastating injury to Bernard King, however, and fails to illustrate how significant an impact he had on New York Knicks history.

At the very least, Brown deserves an honorable mention.

Brown’s Knicks tenure began in 1982-83, and he quickly made his name known across New York City. One year removed from a 33-49 1981-82 season, Brown led the Knicks to a record of 44-38, and helped the team win a postseason series for the first time since 1978—a four-season draught.

It was in 1983-84, however, that Brown earned his spot on this list.

Brown, along with featured players such as King, Bill Cartwright, and Rory Sparrow, helped the Knicks go 47-35 and take the vaunted Boston Celtics to seven games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. That Celtics team went on to win the NBA championship, and only one other team won at least two games against them: the “Showtime” Lakers.

Brown may not have cracked the Top 5, but if not for King’s injuries, he’d likely be higher on this list.

Next: Honorable Mention, Part II