Jalen Brunson's father demoted on Knicks coaching staff after players complained about influence

The father of Jalen Brunson is getting demoted on the New York Knicks’ coaching staff under new head coach Mike

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The father of Jalen Brunson is getting demoted on the New York Knicks’ coaching staff under new head coach Mike Brown.

According to New York Post Knicks insider Stefan Bondy, assistant coach Rick Brunson will have a “lesser role” this upcoming season.

“It’s viewed as a gesture by the organization to give Brown more control while simultaneously addressing the distractions or perceptions of conflicts of interest that arose last season by having the star player’s father as the top assistant,” Bondy reports.

There were issues with the elder Brunson last year. In June, Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico revealed that “multiple Knicks players have been unhappy” with his presence.

“What that issue is, exactly, has not been determined, though sources suggested that Rick has had too big a say in things,” explained Amico, adding that he was “the person with the most power in the entire organization.”

Brunson joined former head coach Tom Thibodeau’s staff ahead of the 2022-23 season, Jalen’s first year in New York.

Bondy reports that Brunson is fine with the demotion.

“This is what’s best for the organization and the players,” a source told Bondy.

Previously, Brunson was an assistant coach with the Denver NuggetsChicago Bulls, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

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Category: General Sports