MILWAUKEE — The New York Knicks have adjusted their rotation recently, giving Jeremy Sochan more opportunities, which has limited Mohamed Diawara’s playing time. Yet, according to head coach Mike Brown, Diawara’s steady demeanor remains intact despite being moved out of the regular rotation. Brown expressed confidence in Diawara’s resilience, noting his positive attitude as crucial during the ongoing adjustment period.
Coach Brown Comments on Diawara’s Mental Strength
Mike Brown acknowledged the challenges diawara faces with inconsistent minutes, saying,
“Yes, it can [hurt his confidence],”
but added,
“that’s my job more than anybody else’s is to make sure I communicate with him and anybody else when that happens.”
Brown shared his observations about Diawara’s mindset, explaining,
“There’s a part of me — and I could be wrong about this — but there’s a part of me that doesn’t think so because I started him. And I thought it would rattle him. It doesn’t rattle him. I bring him off the bench in the first half. And then I don’t play him at all in the second half. And I throw him out there the next game. The dude — at least my experience doing those things with him — he doesn’t get rattled. And like I said, the biggest one is, ‘You’re starting tonight.’ He might not even play two games and it might be a ‘big game.’ And he’s just like, OK. And the way he plays, it’s OK. He’s a pretty confident young guy.”
— Mike Brown, Head Coach
Diawara’s Role Adjusts Following Sochan’s Arrival
Mohamed Diawara had been showing promising performances prior to the All-Star break and prior to Jeremy Sochan joining the lineup. The Knicks’ staff decided to provide Sochan a shot as the backup forward to evaluate his impact during the playoff stretch. As a result, Diawara’s minutes have become inconsistent; for example, he did not play (DNP) in the recent game against Chicago. However, Sochan has struggled to consistently perform at a high level.
Coach Brown remains undecided on who will hold the backup forward spot, stating that the choice often fluctuates based on game situations. In the Knicks’ latest match against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sochan started the first half but struggled, leading to Diawara’s appearance in the second half.
Brown’s Ongoing Rotation Decisions and Future Outlook
Brown emphasized the back-and-forth nature of his rotation decisions, remarking,
“Back and forth. It could be Jeremy tonight. It could be Mo tomorrow night,”
and added,
“Mo has played well. He’s gotten better. Jeremy just hasn’t had an opportunity to. And the biggest thing is, obviously between the two guys is Jeremy is in his fourth season and he’s a little bigger, he’s a little stronger and he knows the league a little bit better. But Mo is coming. And I say Mo is coming because everybody needs to understand that. Not just Jeremy. But everybody. Because Mo is coming.”
— Mike Brown, Head Coach
Challenges Faced by OG Anunoby Post-Injury
Meanwhile, OG Anunoby has experienced a notable decline since returning from a toenail avulsion injury. In the four games following his return, Anunoby has shooting struggles, connecting on just 34.7 percent of his shots and averaging 10.5 points per game. This marks a significant drop compared to his pre-injury numbers, where he averaged 21.7 points on 58.6 percent shooting during seven previous games.
Brown acknowledged Anunoby’s earlier high-level play, highlighting his impact on both ends of the floor.
“He was playing at an extremely high level. When he was out, we even had a conversation — he was like, ‘Man, I was playing extremely well.’ Which he was,”
Brown said.
“He was shooting the 3. He was rebounding. His crashes were unbelievable. He was getting out in transition. His decisions were quick and decisive. And he was really impacting the game on both ends of the floor. The injuries have happened. And he hasn’t played like that since. But he’s only been back for a few games too.”
— Mike Brown, Head Coach
Implications for Knicks’ Playoff Prospects
While Mohamed Diawara’s unshakable attitude is a positive sign for the Knicks amid fluctuating playing time, the coaching staff’s ongoing decisions reflect the team’s search for the best roster balance heading into the playoffs. The competition between Diawara and Sochan for backup forward minutes continues to shape game strategies. OG Anunoby’s recovery and return to form will also be vital for the Knicks’ postseason hopes.
Maintaining a strong mental approach, as Diawara has demonstrated, will be crucial both for his development and for the team’s cohesion moving forward. As the Knicks navigate roster adjustments and returning players regain their rhythm, the team’s resilience and adaptability could define their playoff success.
