Mike Brown, who previously coached the Kings, Cavs and Lakers, takes over in New York after Tom Thibodeau's exit.

The New York Knicks surprised some around the NBA when they fired head coach Tom Thibodeau after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, but his replacement had nothing but praise for him on Tuesday.

Brown, who takes over a Knicks team that reached the Eastern Conference finals before firing head coach Tom Thibodeau in the offseason, said the team's identity will be based on a trust centered around sacrifice, connectivity, competitive spirit and belief in the process and each other.