New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown has chosen not to install any offensive plays during the 2025 preseason. Following Thursday’s victory, Brown stated that he wants his players to learn by playing rather than memorizing set schemes.

He said, “We want to play this way most of the time. We’ll have play calls because we want the ball in this person’s hands at this time and we want this guy here and that guy there. So we will do that. But right now, especially in the preseason, I just want them to be able to get used to playing this basketball and taking what the defense gives them.”

This philosophy stands in sharp contrast to the methods of former head coach Tom Thibodeau, who was famous for detailed preparation and thick playbooks. Guard Miles McBride once estimated that Thibodeau’s playbook was about five inches thick, a reflection of how structured the team’s previous approach had been.

The Learning Curve in Preseason Play

The Knicks’ offense has shown both promise and inconsistency during the adjustment period. In their overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, they scored only 38 points in the first half. Despite the low total, players said the team created open looks and simply missed shots.

Mikal Bridges explained, “He just wants to implement playing fast because, honestly, especially the first three quarters, until mid-fourth, you don’t really need plays. You kind of just have concepts and you read and react, and it makes it tougher for the defense. They don’t know what’s happening because we’re reacting to what they do.”

Bridges said that set plays become more necessary in the final minutes when possessions slow down.

Deuce McBride described the experience as an opportunity to develop decision-making skills. “A coach can drop a play anytime and you know exactly what to do,” McBride said. “But to be able to read and react to what’s out there, that’s what matters. He’s on the sideline, but we have to play. We have to move the ball, play the right way, and get guys involved.”

When asked if the system could work so close to the start of the regular season, McBride replied, “He’s the coach. If that’s his philosophy, that’s his philosophy. We’re going to follow it to the best of our ability.”

Knicks Betting Markets Show Steady Confidence

While the Knicks continue to adjust under Brown, major sportsbooks have shown consistent belief in the team’s potential.

As of October 15, 2025, FanDuel lists New York at +1100 to win the NBA championship and +380 to win the Eastern Conference. During the summer, those odds ranged between +900 and +1000 before leveling out near +1100 as the preseason progressed. BetMGM currently lists New York’s regular-season win total at 53.5, with both sides priced at -110. DraftKings shows the Knicks as strong playoff favorites with Yes at -5000 and No at +1600.

FanDuel’s preseason awards board includes Jalen Brunson at +8000 for MVP and Mike Brown at +1000 for Coach of the Year. Brown officially replaced Thibodeau on July 7, 2025, and betting confidence in New York increased following the coaching change and early training camp developments.

Accountability and On-Court Communication

Although Brown’s offense removes traditional structure, his approach demands precision and accountability. Mikal Bridges described Brown and his coaching staff as organized and direct. “Just being on guys, holding guys accountable, preaching everything every single day. Him and his coaches all run a tight ship. Whatever we’re doing, they’re all on the same page no matter what,” Bridges said.

He added, “He pushes us. If you’re not doing the right thing, he’ll let you know. He’s not Mr. Nice Guy. He has to hold people accountable. He doesn’t do it in a disrespectful way. He wants greatness out of everybody.”

Jalen Brunson, who previously led the team as a high-usage ball handler, is adapting to playing more off the ball. “What we’re working on is just the basics of our offense and everything,” Brunson said. “It’s going to take time. It’s not always going to be perfect, but we have to continue to trust it and learn it. When things aren’t going well, we can’t revert to who we were before. We have to keep improving.”

Brown pointed out a play from the Knicks’ two preseason games against the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi to illustrate Brunson’s adjustment. During a fast break, Brunson sprinted to the corner, which opened space for OG Anunoby to drive and lob to Mitchell Robinson for an alley-oop.

Brown explained, “Because Jalen filled the corner, it flattened the defense. Whoever was guarding him was scared he was going to get a three-pointer, so they stayed out. That created space for OG to get downhill. Little things like that don’t show up in the stat sheet, but they make you a great offensive team.”

Tactical Tweaks and the Three-Guard Lineups

Along with eliminating playbooks, Brown has experimented with new lineup combinations. During preseason, the Knicks often used three-guard lineups featuring Jalen Brunson, Deuce McBride, Malcolm Brogdon, and Landry Shamet.

Josh Hart’s absence due to back spasms contributed to the smaller rotations. He missed the October 13 loss to the Washington Wizards, which ended 120–103 after Brown rested several starters. These lineups align with Brown’s focus on pace and spacing.

In the previous season, New York used three-guard lineups in only 6.3 percent of total possessions, or 613 of 9,716, but those units outscored opponents by 6.9 points per 100 possessions. Brown’s preseason combinations suggest he intends to explore this option further.

The New York Giants are being investigated after head coach Brian Daboll was caught on camera leaning into the team’s medical tent during a concussion evaluation for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Dart had been taken to the sideline after being sacked by Eagles linebacker Patrick Johnson and colliding with Azeez Ojulari late in the third quarter.

The NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) confirmed that they launched a joint review to determine whether the team violated the league’s concussion protocol. Under those rules, only authorized medical personnel, including the team physician, an independent neurological consultant, and possibly a team athletic trainer, may be inside the tent during a concussion evaluation.

According to FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer, the Giants are “bracing for a hefty fine,” but, at this stage, no suspension or draft-pick penalty is expected.

Daboll’s Explanation and Apology

After the game, Brian Daboll told reporters he leaned into the tent briefly to check on Dart but insisted he did not interfere with the medical process.

“I went in—didn’t actually go in—just stuck my head in to see how our quarterback was doing,” Daboll said on Friday. “Just asked him, ‘How you doing?’”

He explained that his main concern was the timing of the evaluation, as the Giants were preparing for a possible fourth-down play.

“I was wondering if it took 10 minutes, if it takes an hour, or if it takes two minutes,” Daboll said. “That’s really where I was when I asked the question on the sideline about making a decision on the game. Health and safety are important to us; it’s important to me.”

Daboll also confirmed that he apologized directly to team physician Dr. Scott Rodeo, who was conducting the concussion check.

“We were getting ready to go for it on a potential fourth down,” he said. “I would have burned a timeout if he could have come out there. I was asking how long it was going to take. You want your guy out there, not at risk of anything else.”

He later emphasized that he respected the process and would continue to follow all concussion-related rules moving forward.

League and Player Reactions

The NFL’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, reiterated that the concussion protocol allows only a small group of authorized individuals in the medical tent.

“There are specific rules about who can be in the tent during a concussion evaluation—namely, the player, a team physician, an independent specialist, and potentially a team athletic trainer,” Sills said. “Never more than those people. Never any coaches in here, never any other players in here, never anybody else in here.”

Rookie running back Cam Skattebo also poked his head into the tent during Dart’s evaluation, later explaining that he was simply checking on his teammate.

“I was making sure that Jaxson wasn’t hurting anybody in the injury tent,” Skattebo joked. “When I was in there, he was a little fired up, but we know we have to go through protocol and do all that stuff to make sure we can get back on the field. I went in there and kind of said, ‘We’re good, man, we’ve got you,’ and that’s it.”

For Jaxson Dart, the evaluation felt familiar. It was at least the third time, including the preseason, that he had undergone a concussion check during a game.“It felt so long,” Dart said. “A few guys popped in. I was just trying to get back there on the field. I understand they have protocol and whatnot. I was just trying to get out there fast.”

When Dart was removed for testing, former starter Russell Wilson entered and threw one incomplete pass before the Giants punted.

Giants’ Betting Outlook and Market Reaction

The investigation has coincided with measurable movement in betting markets for the Giants’ upcoming game against the Denver Broncos. Sportsbooks including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, PointsBet, and Caesars opened with Denver favored by 7.5 points, and the line later shifted to -7, reflecting minor betting support for New York after its recent 34–17 win over Philadelphia.

Totals across major books have remained steady between 40.0 and 41.0 points, with most betting activity leaning toward the under, a response to Dart’s uncertain status and the Giants’ offensive inconsistency.

In futures markets, New York’s odds to make the playoffs have slightly lengthened, while most sportsbooks have temporarily adjusted or removed Jaxson Dart’s individual props pending confirmation of his medical clearance. Analysts have linked these adjustments directly to the ongoing NFL investigation and the possibility that Dart could miss time if concussion symptoms persist.

Giants’ Leadership Response and Possible Penalties

Team owner and CEO John Mara issued a statement the following day confirming the club’s cooperation with the league’s investigation.

“While I firmly believe, as he has stated, that he was not trying to influence the process in any way, he understands the appearance of going to the tent is inappropriate,” Mara said. “We have protocols in place to ensure player safety, and we need to allow our medical staff to execute those protocols without interference.”

On Saturday, the NFL sent a memo to all teams reminding them that coaches and players are not permitted in the medical tent during concussion evaluations. The memo outlined possible disciplinary actions, including reprimands, remedial training, fines, and the loss of draft picks if the violation is determined to have been motivated by competitive considerations.

Because Daboll admitted he wanted to know whether Dart would be cleared before deciding whether to call a timeout, the review will determine whether that constitutes a competitive factor.

Ongoing Review and Expected Outcome

The NFL and NFLPA continue to gather statements and review footage. Witness interviews are in progress, and league officials are expected to issue a final decision within the week. If investigators determine that Daboll’s actions were an attempt to influence or expedite the process, the team could face harsher penalties beyond monetary fines.

As of now, reports indicate that the Giants expect to be fined but do not anticipate suspensions or loss of draft picks. The outcome will clarify whether the violation was procedural or competitive, and how the league intends to enforce the rules governing player health and medical independence.

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson made history at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York, by becoming the first African American player in Major League Baseball’s modern era. At age 28, he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking a color barrier that had divided professional baseball for more than 50 years.

Robinson’s debut ended the long-standing segregation that had kept Black athletes confined to the Negro Leagues since the late 19th century. His first appearance for the Dodgers symbolized the beginning of a new chapter in both sports and American social history.

Exactly fifty years later, on April 15, 1997, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig honored Robinson’s legacy at Shea Stadium in New York City. During a ceremony attended by over 50,000 fans, Selig announced that Robinson’s uniform number, 42, would be retired across all Major League Baseball teams – the first number in league history to receive that honor.

Early Life and Education: From Georgia to California

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, to a family of sharecroppers. His mother moved the family to Pasadena, California, in 1920, where Robinson grew up and developed his athletic talent.

He attended John Muir Technical High School and Pasadena Community College before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). At UCLA, he became the first athlete to letter in four varsity sports: baseball, football, basketball, and track.

Financial hardship forced Robinson to leave UCLA before completing his degree. In 1942, he entered the United States Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. While stationed in Texas, Robinson protested racial discrimination on a military bus. He was court-martialed in 1944 but acquitted, and later received an honorable discharge.

After his military service, Robinson played in the Negro American League for the Kansas City Monarchs during the 1945 season, appearing in 47 games and the East–West All-Star Game.

Branch Rickey’s Plan to Integrate Baseball

By the 1940s, organized baseball had been racially segregated for many years. The Black press and some white sportswriters actively campaigned for integration. Among them, Wendell Smith of The Pittsburgh Courier was particularly outspoken. The experience of World War II further encouraged Americans to question segregation.

Branch Rickey (1881–1965), the Brooklyn Dodgers’ general manager, took direct action to challenge the “color line.” Rickey had been active in baseball for over 60 years, working as a player, coach, manager, and owner. His Hall of Fame plaque credits him with both creating the farm system in the 1920s and signing Jackie Robinson.

Rickey’s interest in integration began earlier in his career. While working with the St. Louis Cardinals, he was disturbed by the exclusion of African Americans from grandstand seating. In 1942, after joining the Dodgers, Rickey quietly began planning to bring Black players into Major League Baseball.

He referred to this effort as his “great experiment.” Rickey understood that the first Black player in the majors would be subjected to extreme scrutiny and hostility. He therefore sought an individual with athletic ability and exceptional self-control.

The Meeting Between Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson

In August 1945, Jackie Robinson, then a member of the Kansas City Monarchs, met Branch Rickey at the Brooklyn Dodgers’ office. Clyde Sukeforth, a Dodgers scout, told Robinson that Rickey was assembling a new team called the Brown Dodgers, but during the meeting, Rickey revealed his true intention: to bring Robinson to the Major Leagues.

Rickey simulated scenes Robinson might face, including verbal abuse and provocation, to test his reactions, though Robinson remained calm. Rickey then told him directly that he was looking for a player with the strength “not to fight back.”

Following the meeting, on October 23, 1945, Robinson officially signed a contract with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, the Montreal Royals. The signing was publicized nationally through Look magazine and in the Black press by Wendell Smith of The Pittsburgh Courier.

Before finalizing the agreement, Rickey verified that Robinson was not bound by a formal contract with the Monarchs. Robinson confirmed this in writing in a letter preserved in the Branch Rickey Papers.

Robinson spent the 1946 season with the Montreal Royals, where his success on the field prepared him for the next step.

The 1947 Major League Debut

After his season in Montreal, Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in April 1947, officially breaking the Major League color barrier. Wearing number 42, Robinson became a star infielder and outfielder for the Dodgers.

During his rookie season, Robinson helped lead the Dodgers to the National League pennant and was named the National League’s Rookie of the Year. In 1949, he was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and became the league batting champion.

Between 1949 and 1954, Robinson was selected for the National League All-Star team each year. Over the course of his career, he helped the Dodgers win six National League pennants and their first World Series championship in 1955.

Racism and Resistance During Robinson’s Career

Robinson faced widespread racial discrimination throughout his playing years. Many fans and even fellow players expressed hostility toward him. Jim Crow laws in the South prevented him from using the same hotels and restaurants as his white teammates. Despite these obstacles, he continued to perform at the highest level.

His success paved the way for other African American players to enter Major League Baseball. The Brooklyn Dodgers later signed Roy Campanella (1948), Don Newcombe (1949), and Jim Gilliam (1953). In the American League, Larry Doby integrated the Cleveland Indians in 1947, followed by future stars such as Hank Aaron and Willie Mays.

Life After Baseball

Jackie Robinson retired from Major League Baseball in 1957. After his playing career, he became a businessman and civil rights activist. He supported the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and participated in civil rights demonstrations.

In 1960, Robinson joined a picket line in Cleveland, Ohio, organized by the NAACP, to protest racial discrimination at southern lunch counters.

In 1962, Robinson became the first African American inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

He died on October 24, 1972, at age 53, in Stamford, Connecticut.

Legacy and Ongoing Recognition

Although the Brooklyn Dodgers relocated to Los Angeles after the 1957 season, Robinson’s legacy remained deeply connected to Brooklyn. Ebbets Field, where he made his debut, was eventually demolished, but its historical significance endured.

Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, features the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, honoring his contribution to the sport. A statue of Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese stands outside the Coney Island stadium of the Brooklyn Cyclones, symbolizing unity and respect.

Every year, on April 15, Major League Baseball observes Jackie Robinson Day, during which all players wear his number, 42, to commemorate his achievements.

ESPN has reported that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has shown genuine interest in joining the New York Knicks. According to sources, the Bucks and Knicks held talks over the summer about Giannis’s desire to be traded to New York if his time in Milwaukee were to end. The conversations were described as exploratory and did not generate significant traction, ESPN said.

For years, it has been well known across NBA circles that the Knicks have closely monitored Giannis’s situation. The franchise’s interest dates back several seasons, and for the first time, reports now indicate that interest may be mutual.

Knicks beat writer James L. Edwards III and national reporter Fred Katz analyzed the situation, offering insight into how these preliminary talks came to light and how they align with New York’s aggressive approach to acquiring stars.

How the Trade Rumors Emerged

When asked if he was surprised that Milwaukee and New York discussed a trade, Edwards said he wasn’t.

“The Knicks have been eying the statuses of several household NBA names over the years, per league sources, and Antetokounmpo is at the top of the list,” he explained.

Edwards also said that Giannis’s preference for New York isn’t surprising. Antetokounmpo has often spoken about his admiration for the city, his enjoyment of playing at Madison Square Garden, and his continued desire to compete for another NBA title.

What caught Edwards off guard was that Milwaukee was reportedly willing to engage in the conversation at all. He pointed out that the Knicks lack the future assets needed to entice a franchise to part with a generational player like Giannis.

To illustrate the tone of the talks, Edwards humorously imagined how they might have been behind closed doors:

Giannis: “If you trade me, I’d like to go to New York.”
Jon Horst (Bucks GM): “OK, let me call them and see what they have to offer.”
Leon Rose (Knicks president): “Hey, Jon! Finally ready to trade Giannis?”
Horst: “No, but I’ll hear what you have to offer …”
Rose: “You can have Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and a bunch of bad picks.”
Horst: click

Katz added that this approach aligns perfectly with the Knicks’ reputation for diligence and league-wide engagement.

“New York is notoriously known for calling around the league, gauging the market from stars to scrubs,” Katz said. “More than once, I’ve spoken with executives who wondered whether a Knicks call stemmed from genuine interest or just homework.”

This “always-checking” strategy is the Knicks’ identity, Katz said, especially when a player names them directly, as ESPN reported Giannis did.

Knicks’ Offseason Moves and Timing

Katz revealed that one reason the Knicks delayed finalizing Mikal Bridges’ contract extension this offseason was their anticipation of potential movement around Antetokounmpo.

“Once Bridges signed, he wouldn’t become trade-eligible for six months,” Katz explained. “The front office didn’t want to commit if Giannis suddenly became available.”

Eventually, New York signed Bridges early enough to maintain trade flexibility before the February deadline, but by then, it was clear Giannis wasn’t being moved.

Antetokounmpo remains one of basketball’s most valuable players, a two-time MVP and perennial All-Star whose presence guarantees 40-plus wins a season. But New York’s asset base is limited. Following last year’s massive trades for Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks no longer hold meaningful draft leverage.

They possess pick swaps in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032, plus a 2026 protected first-round pick via Washington that will likely become two second-rounders. They lack enticing young prospects. As a result, their trade packages can’t match those of teams like the Houston Rockets or San Antonio Spurs, who hold deep collections of draft picks and young talent.

Sports Betting Markets React Cautiously

While news of Giannis’s reported interest in New York captured headlines, the betting markets reacted with caution. Despite speculation that a blockbuster trade could shift the NBA landscape, sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM left odds largely unchanged.

As of early October 2025, the Knicks remain in the +850 to +1000 range to win the NBA championship, according to consensus data aggregated from DraftKings and Covers. Their Eastern Conference odds sit near +340, while BetMGM lists their win total at 53.5 games (-110).

The Milwaukee Bucks, by contrast, are viewed as a long shot, priced between +5000 and +7500 to win the title and projected for 42.5 wins. Analysts attribute those numbers to an aging roster, uncertainty following the Damian Lillard trade, and limited future draft flexibility.

In the MVP race, Giannis’s odds have shifted modestly over the summer. He opened around +700 at DraftKings but has since lengthened to +1200, placing him behind frontrunners like Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Sportsbooks attribute the movement to Milwaukee’s diminished championship outlook rather than individual performance concerns.

Why a Trade Still Doesn’t Add Up

Edwards stressed that even if the Bucks wanted to explore a trade, the Knicks’ limited resources make it nearly impossible. “New York gave away most of its interesting draft capital last summer,” he said, referencing the four unprotected first-round picks, one unprotected pick swap, a protected first-rounder, and a second-round pick traded for Bridges.

Additionally, because Bridges signed his extension on August 1, he is ineligible to be traded until late January. That leaves the Knicks reliant on moving players like Towns, Anunoby, and Josh Hart, whose collective trade value isn’t high enough to sway Milwaukee.

“The combination of those players and bottom-tier picks isn’t blowing the Bucks away,” Edwards said. “I don’t see how the Knicks could land Antetokounmpo without at least one more team being involved.”

Katz agreed that potential offers from Houston or San Antonio, with young talent and high-value draft assets, would likely eclipse anything New York could put together. Still, he pointed out that the NBA’s trade environment is fluid.

“What if Antetokounmpo’s first choice is New York and the Bucks honor his wishes?” Katz said. “What if he makes it clear he’ll re-sign only there? That could shrink the market fast.”

Should the Knicks Even Want Giannis Right Now?

Edwards took a surprising position when asked whether New York should pursue Giannis immediately.“I can’t believe I’m going to say this … No,” he admitted. “They should want him — but not at this point, not with what it would cost.”

He pointed to the NBA’s new first- and second-apron rules, which punish teams with oversized payrolls and little depth. “The winners of both conferences last season were among the deepest teams in the league,” he said. “The Knicks would have to give up multiple starters just to have a shot.”

Currently, New York has four players who would start on any NBA team and three others who could start elsewhere. The roster is balanced, and the Eastern Conference has been weakened by key injuries. “The Knicks are in a great position to compete right now,” Edwards said. “I don’t see the need to risk the future when the present already looks good.”

Katz echoed that sentiment that the decision may resolve itself over time.“If the Knicks jell under new coach Mike Brown and run away with the East, Giannis might not be worth the cost,” he said. “But if they disappoint, adding a generational talent could quickly become an option again.”