Before Mike Brown got into the basketball part of his Wednesday availability, he paused to mark Veterans Day with a message that was personal and direct.
The Knicks coach used his time at the podium to salute his father, who spent 26 years in the Air Force, and to recognize everyone who served.
“Before we get started, I'd just like to give a shout-out to all the veterans out there. My dad served 26 years in the Air Force, so Dad, I appreciate you, not just for being my dad, but obviously for your service to our country,” Brown said.
“So thank you for that, and thank you for all you other veterans out there, because you guys are the real heroes in what you do, and we want to appreciate you guys. So thank you very much.”
Brown’s words came as the Knicks prepared for a Wednesday night matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. But the moment also fit Brown’s own background, shaped by a childhood spent moving around the world because of his father’s military career.
Mike Brown opened his pregame press conference shouting out veterans on Veterans Day
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) November 11, 2026
"My dad served 26 years in the Air Force, so dad appreciate you not just for being my dad but your service to our country. Thank you for all you other veterans out there" pic.twitter.com/yRBLMkzxzJ
Born in Columbus, Ohio, in March of 1970, Brown grew up on the move as his father served in the Air Force. He graduated from high school in Wurzburg, Germany, then started his college path at Mesa CC in Arizona before finishing at San Diego.
Brown later entered the coaching world in 1997 after working as a video coordinator for the Denver Nuggets. Now, with his first NBA Championship win as a head coach already on the books, he took a few seconds before facing the Cavaliers to make sure his father and other veterans got their due.
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