5 things to know about new Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson
1: Harassment allegations
Rick served as an assistant coach with the Timberwolves from 2016-18, and his time with the organization came to end after he resigned amid harassment allegations. Minnesota released a statement that read:
"“Our entire organization — made up of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Minnesota Lynx and Iowa Wolves — is deeply committed to creating a safe work environment for our employees, partners and fans,” the team said in a statement. “Our teams strive to have our actions reflect our values each and every day. We work to maintain high standards of conduct and expect our staff to lead by example. We did not believe Mr. Brunson’s conduct was consistent with those standards.”"
Alan Milstein, Rick’s attorney, responded to that statement with one of his own:
"“Contrary to erroneous reports, there have been no findings of any wrongdoing by Rick, as any proper investigation by the Timberwolves would have shown,” Milstein said in a statement."
And four years before Rick resigned from his assistant coach position with the Timberwolves, he was charged with “attempted criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, aggravated battery and domestic battery following an incident with a masseuse in 2014.”
Rick was later acquitted of all charges in 2015 because “the state was unable to meet the burden of proof required to convict Brunson” but he did admit to having an affair with the woman (per ESPN’s Chris Haynes).
That makes two separate occasions where Rick was accused of serious wrongdoing. The reasons for his departure from Minnesota shouldn’t be overlooked. His “conduct” wasn’t “consistent” with the standards of the Timberwolves organization, so what does that mean about the Knicks organization?
Does the reasons for his hiring all boil down to his past with Rose and Thibodeau, who was part of Minnesota’s organization at the time of Rick’s resignation?
These are all major red flags. There’s an issue with how women are treated and regarded in the sports industry, and not just in the NBA.
Regardless of his own experience as a player in the NBA, his relationships with Thibodeau and Rose, and who his son is (those things don’t matter in this case), it’s disappointing that Rick has been granted yet another coaching opportunity.
What happened with the Timberwolves shouldn’t be ignored and people shouldn’t receive special treatment just because of who they are or who they know. Rick is no exception.
