Mike Brown is back in the NBA Finals as a head coach for the first time since 2007, and the New York Knicks’ sideline leader already appears to be making the most of the experience.
During his Finals media availability on Tuesday, Brown reflected on his tenure as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, during which he also coached a first-grade flag football team. While doing so, the 56-year-old playfully re-enacted the squad’s “Who let the dogs out” chant, with the now-viral clip sending the NBA world into hysterics.
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Brown has thrived in his first season at the helm of New York, revamping the Jalen Brunson-led team’s offense with increased ball movement and transition play. The two-time NBA Coach of the Year has also maximized Karl-Anthony Towns’ effectiveness in the playoffs, utilizing the star big man as more of a playmaking hub.
The Knicks won a franchise record 11 straight postseason games to secure their first Finals berth since 1999, with anticipation mounting for them to take on the Victor Wembanyama-led Spurs.
While containing the 7-foot-4 French phenom and his upstart squad, which just dispatched the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, will be a daunting task, Brown appears relatively unfazed.
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Speaking to the media on Tuesday, a day ahead of New York’s Game 1 road clash in San Antonio, Brown was asked how much of his defensive philosophy was “formed” in the city. Brown was a Spurs assistant coach from 2000 to 2003, winning the 2003 title. However, the reporter made it clear that he was referencing Brown’s “dogs defense” from his time coaching a six-man first-grade flag football team.
The question elicited excitement from Brown, who shared that the youngsters were “awesome” and “dominated that league.” The Knicks coach then proceeded to recount their Baha Men-inspired cheer.
“After every game and before every game, we’d get our parents in with the kids, and our cheer would be, ‘Who let the dogs out? Who? Who? Who? Who let the dogs out? Who? Who? Who?’” Brown reminisced.
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While Brown provided ample context for the lighthearted moment, the clip was promptly cropped and circulated online, sparking comical reactions from the NBA community.
“What is Mike Brown doing? 😭😭,” BrickCenter questioned.
“Mike Brown is WILDING 😭😭,” Hater Report reacted.
“Everyone in NY is nervous for the Finals. Mike Brown:,” one New York supporter captioned the video.
“Mike Brown the funniest man alive, bro,” another declared.
“Mike Brown, with context that I’m leaving out, just chanted from ‘Who let the dogs out.’ Welcome to the new meme,” The Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds quipped.
“Mike Brown has Finals FEVER,” one Knicks fan account wrote.
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Given the Knicks’ historic Finals run, Brown has likely already cemented himself as an icon in New York. If the fun-loving coach can help the organization pull off a major upset over San Antonio and capture its first championship since 1973, he will only further carve out his place in Knicks lore.
