Jalen Brunson’s Bombshell Announcement Sends Shockwaves Through NBA Community — Former Coach Mike Miller at the Center of the..
In a jaw-dropping moment that has ignited a firestorm across the basketball world, New York Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson dropped a stunning revelation during an exclusive postgame interview last night — and it centers around former Knicks interim head coach Mike Miller.
Fresh off a 38-point, 11-assist performance that helped seal a crucial win for the Knicks in their playoff push, Brunson took a surprising turn when the topic shifted to leadership and mentorship.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without Coach Mike Miller,” Brunson stated bluntly. “And I think it’s time people know the truth about what really happened back then — how overlooked he was, how much of the team’s development was really him behind the scenes. The league talks about stars, but Coach Miller? He was the foundation.”
Those comments sent a jolt through NBA Twitter and sports media outlets, as many quickly began revisiting Miller’s brief but impactful tenure as interim head coach during the 2019–2020 season, when he took over a floundering Knicks team mid-year and led them to a more competitive and structured playstyle.
A Coach Who Was “Never Given His Due”
Brunson elaborated further in the postgame locker room, revealing that he had stayed in touch with Miller throughout his early NBA career — even crediting him with critical advice during his difficult transition from Dallas to New York.
“Mike wasn’t flashy, and maybe that’s why people missed what he was doing,” Brunson continued. “But I remember watching from afar when he took over the Knicks and actually gave the young guys a real system, a real identity. He was the first to believe in the core. A lot of that foundation? That’s his.”
Though Miller was let go following the hiring of Tom Thibodeau in 2020, many players and insiders have long believed that his influence on the Knicks’ current culture has been underrated — until now.
NBA World Reacts: “Long Overdue Recognition”
Within hours, the NBA community responded. Former Knicks players, league insiders, and even rival coaches took to social media to praise Miller and back Brunson’s claims.
“Mike Miller was one of the best basketball minds I’ve worked with,” tweeted former Knick veteran Taj Gibson. “Glad someone’s finally saying it.”
Longtime NBA analyst Doris Burke echoed the sentiment on ESPN: “This isn’t just a feel-good story. This is a player publicly validating the role of a coach who helped change a franchise’s trajectory — and that matters.”
What’s Next for Miller?
Currently working in a player development role with another organization, Miller has yet to comment publicly, but sources close to him say he was “humbled and emotional” after hearing Brunson’s remarks.
Whether this moment revives interest in Miller for future head coaching positions remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Jalen Brunson’s heartfelt admission has opened a new chapter in the conversation around leadership, loyalty, and unsung impact in the NBA.