New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown expressed profound respect for LeBron James's durability as his team prepared for a preseason opener against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Brown, who coached James during his first stint with the Cavaliers, spoke to reporters before Monday's exhibition. He highlighted the surreal nature of James entering a 24th NBA season. "The first thing, I guess like year 24 is insane," Brown said. "It's unheard of. It's not human." He compared James's physical longevity to the otherworldly talent of Victor Wembanyama, crediting James's lifelong dedication to his body.
Mike Brown's connection to LeBron James dates back to their time together with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brown was James's first NBA head coach, leading the Cavs to the 2007 NBA Finals. That shared history gives his praise extra weight. Brown pointed directly to James's routine and mindset as the foundation for his career length.
"If there's anybody that's going to do it, he's going to do it because even when he was young, he was really diligent about taking care of his body," Brown explained. He noted that James wasn't afraid to seek advice from veterans like Zydrunas Ilgauskas early in his career. This combination of natural talent and careful preparation has defined James's two-decade-plus run at the highest level.
The Knicks are riding high. Since then, they've been flawless.
Their four-game winning streak to close the last campaign was emphatic. This dominant run provides a powerful launchpad for their title defense.
Monday's game marked the Knicks' first action since winning the NBA championship in June. While a preseason contest lacks the stakes of the playoffs, it begins the journey toward a rare achievement. The Knicks aim to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since the Golden State Warriors did it in 2017 and 2018.
Their first test comes against a revamped Philadelphia 76ers squad. Although LeBron James did not play in this exhibition, his presence on the roster alongside stars like Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid changes the entire dynamic of the Eastern Conference. For the Knicks, it's an early chance to gauge their standing against a potential playoff rival.
Coach Brown's focus, however, remains on building his own team's identity and health. Praising an all-time great like James is one thing. Preparing his own players to compete night after night is the real task. The Knicks have the talent and the recent results to suggest they're ready for that challenge.
