Podcast Summary: The Ringer NBA Show

Episode: How Mike Brown Changed the Knicks
Date: December 20, 2025
Featuring: Logan Murdoch & Raja Bell

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the New York Knicks’ breakout season and the transformative impact head coach Mike Brown has had on the franchise. Logan Murdoch and Raja Bell dissect the Knicks’ revitalized offense, the deeper bench, evolving team culture, and what Mike Brown’s leadership looks like in contrast to former coach Tom Thibodeau. They also reflect on player psychology, the nuances of NBA coaching, and team dynamics in both crisis and success. Later segments touch on Dylan Brooks’ notorious edge, unique NBA environments, and cap off with the hosts’ “Real One of the Week” picks.

The Knicks’ Meteoric Rise

[00:12–00:58]

• Knicks are 19-7, second in the East, just behind the Pistons, on a seven-game winning streak.
• Statistical strengths: top five in points per game, three-pointers made, and percentage; second in offensive rating; fourth in net rating.
• Won the NBA Cup.
• Logan asks Raja if their impressive form is sustainable, and what’s fundamentally changed.

Key Points:

• Raja Bell:
  • Knicks’ shooting is freer and more confident this season.
  • “What they have this year that they didn’t have last year is a bench that can produce... which allows you to sustain runs within games and throughout the course of a season.” [00:58]
  • Depth means starters aren’t run into the ground nightly, leading to more consistent performance.

The Mike Brown Effect

[00:58–03:49], [03:49–07:25]

• Raja highlights new creative wrinkles in Knicks’ offense (e.g., player movement during pick-and-roll).
• Both hosts emphasize the deeper trust in the bench.
• The acquisition of Jordan Clarkson adds bench scoring power.

Notable Quote:

• Logan Murdoch (quoting Jalen Brunson, postgame):

  “He’s unafraid to fail. And I think that mindset of not being afraid to fail is good for us because it allows us to continue to fight... We’re not afraid to fail. I think that’s big time for us.” [05:39]

• Logan reflects on how Brown’s approach contrasts his earlier reputation:

  "...two years ago... [Mike Brown] wants to be perfect in an imperfect world... I see a more of a freeness now." [06:18]

Player Development and Coaching Growth

[07:25–11:11]

• Raja breaks down the necessary cycle of trust between coach and bench players:

  “To even be afforded that opportunity... [the bench] got to be afforded that trust up front to have the opportunity to go out there and make the mistakes." [07:35]

• Coaches’ attitudes and personalities register strongly with players, especially young ones.
• Mike Brown is adapting by being more positive and less controlling, which resonates with today’s NBA players.

Staff Dynamics & The Need for Balance

[11:11–12:01], [12:01–13:05]

• Discussion about having a balanced coaching staff:

  “If your head coach is a vibes guy... you have to have that voice of reason somewhere close to him on that bench.” – Raja [12:06]

• Balance between defensive “hard-ass” (like Thibodeau) and friendly “vibes” coach is crucial for a harmonious staff.

Mike Brown’s Personality Shift & Knicks’ Culture Change

[13:05–17:24]

• Logan describes Mike Brown’s historic attention to detail (e.g., cataloguing all 82 outfit choices as coach).

• Brown’s “breath of fresh air” is giving tired Knicks veterans a much-needed mental reset post-Thibodeau:

  “I feel like this Knicks team needed a breath of fresh air. Like, man, that was just a lot of work, right?" – Logan [13:52]

• Raja notes the “honeymoon period” but cautions the true test will come if tough times hit.

Knicks’ Playoff Ceiling & Brunson's Burden

[19:19–21:14]

• Logan questions if the new bench lessens the problem of over-relying on Jalen Brunson in the playoffs.
• Raja is measured:

  “Yeah, a little bit, but no... if Jalen Brunson isn’t playing great... it makes it exponentially harder for you all to win games.” [20:26]

Key Segment Breakdown and Timestamps

Knicks' Evolution Under Mike Brown

• Bench development, deeper rotation relief [00:58–03:49]
• Mike Brown’s “unafraid to fail” mentality – builds resilience [05:39]
• Brown’s shift from rigid perfectionism to encouraging creativity [06:18–07:25]
• Culture change post-Thibodeau: lighter mood, greater trust in players [13:05–17:24]

Deep Dive: Coaching Styles and Player Psychology

• Player mentality and their response to trust from coaches [07:25–11:11]
• Balancing staff personalities for team chemistry [12:01–13:05]
• Caution on “honeymoon” effect of new leadership [14:58–17:24]

The Dylan Brooks Debate: Edge vs. Antics

[23:20–34:48]

• Recap of Dylan Brooks’ controversial foul on Steph Curry.
• Both hosts agree: antics are mostly deliberate brand-building, but can overshadow his genuine value.
• Raja: “Dylan Brooks does not care... that's how easy it is, right? Like you go out there and you do what you do. He's in character...” [30:01]
• Logan: Brooks’ reputation is partly media-driven; fans love him when he’s on their own team.

The NBA Cup Venue Controversy

[34:48–37:04]

• League floating the idea of moving NBA Cup final to Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke).
• Hosts find the proposal puzzling and likely logistically impractical.
• Raja: “That sounds stupid to me. I don't know. It holds 9,000 people. Like I don't, I don't know.” [36:43]

Unique Basketball Venues & Best Places to Watch

[37:04–44:56]

• Raja’s favorites: Palm Springs outdoor games, College of Charleston, The Pit (New Mexico), Rupp Arena (Kentucky).
• Logan: Watching pro runs at UCLA’s gym, seeing NBA players up close in casual settings is mind-blowing.

Real One of the Week

[46:12–52:25]

• Logan: Coach Alonzo Carter, newly-appointed Sacramento State football head coach, for his larger-than-life energy and community mobilization.

  “He talked about how everybody is put on notice throughout the whole conference. He's coming for everybody's recruit, how he's going to make Sacramento State the USC...” [47:10]

• Raja: Fernando Mendoza, Miami native and newly-minted Heisman winner, for his perseverance and inspiring message about self-belief.

  “Not many people believed in him... He just kept grinding and believing and making the most of it. And I thought his message was important: keep believing in yourself until you find someone who believes in you and gives you that opportunity.” [49:20]

• Logan (bonus): Nikola Jokic for becoming the all-time assist leader among centers — at age 30, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record.

Notable Quotes

• On Mike Brown’s Growth:
  “I think what [Mike Brown] is starting to understand, especially with this generation of player, is that these guys respond way more... to positivity, to less hands-on than the generation before.”
  — Raja Bell, [09:33]

• On Knicks’ Offensive Shift:
  “They do some good stuff... moving guys now a little bit, which is occupying defenders and just, you know, just little wrinkles here and there. But I, I like the Knicks especially, you know, in the Eastern Conference, that is wide open right now.”
  — Raja Bell, [00:58]

• On Brunson’s Role:
  “Let’s make no mistake. That’s the way they play. If Jalen Brunson isn’t playing great, it makes it exponentially harder for y’all to win games.”
  — Raja Bell, [20:26]

• On Brooks’ On-Court Persona:
  “There is a WWE-ness to this. He gets in that locker room... and he flips into character and he goes to work.”
  — Raja Bell, [30:07]

Overall Tone

Conversational, sharp, and tinged with humor, Logan and Raja share deep insider perspectives while keeping the dialogue accessible. They combine big-picture analysis with player- and coach-level insights, complemented by their own career anecdotes and honest banter.

Further Listening

• Knicks fans, revisit the Jalen Brunson interview post-Pacers for more on locker room mentality.
• Interested in player psychology and coach dynamics? Tune in to earlier “Real Ones” episodes discussing personalities like Doc Rivers, Tom Thibodeau, and Nelly.

For Next Time

• Stay tuned for the next episode, where Logan and Howard Beck will be on to discuss holiday NBA storylines and more listener mailbag questions.

This summary excludes advertisements, sponsor reads, and intro/outro segments—focusing solely on the core content and analysis.