Knicks coach blasts racial label boxing rookie as shooter not scorer.

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown made a pointed comment about rookie Dalton Knecht after Wednesday night's 135-105 blowout win over the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden.

Brown said Knecht is viewed by many in the league as a shooter rather than a scorer — and he attributed that label to the rookie's race.

"He's a scorer. He's not just a shooter. A lot of people think he's a shooter because he's White," Brown told reporters.

"I said it for you, I hope I don't get in trouble. He can go get it."

The comment came after Knecht logged 16 minutes in his first regular-season game against the defending NBA champions.

Knecht, who signed a two-way contract with the Knicks last month, scored 10 points on 2-for-4 shooting from three-point range.

Brown's observation was not just a gut feeling — it is supported by Knecht's performance data from his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In 54 regular-season games with the Lakers last season, Knecht converted on more than 50% of his field-goal attempts from zero to 10 feet from the rim, according to Basketball Reference.

That efficiency inside the arc suggests he is more than a stand-still catch-and-shoot player.

Knecht, a former standout at the University of Tennessee, was selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Lakers.

He was traded to the Knicks in the offseason as part of a multi-team deal.

His two-way contract allows him to split time between the Knicks and their G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks.

The Knicks are currently 4-4 after the win over the Bulls and rank 22nd in the league in bench scoring.

Brown's comment has drawn attention because it touches on a long-standing debate in basketball about how players are categorized based on appearance and background.

Scouts and analysts have historically used terms like "shooter" and "scorer" to describe different offensive skill sets.

A shooter is typically defined as a player who excels primarily at making jump shots, often from long range, but may lack the ability to create his own shot off the dribble or finish at the rim.

A scorer, by contrast, is a player who can generate points in multiple ways — driving to the basket, pulling up mid-range, posting up, and shooting from deep.

Brown's argument is that Knecht possesses the full arsenal of a scorer but has been pigeonholed into the narrower shooter category.

The coach's phrasing — "because he's White" — directly links the label to racial stereotypes that have persisted in basketball for decades.

White players in the NBA have often been described as "fundamental," "high-IQ," or "shooters," while Black players with similar skill sets are more frequently called "athletes" or "scorers."

This pattern has been documented by sports sociologists and discussed by former players and media members.

Brown, who is Black, is known for his direct communication style and has never shied away from addressing uncomfortable topics.

He became head coach of the Knicks in 2024 after leading the Sacramento Kings to a playoff appearance.

Under Brown, the Knicks won the NBA championship last season, with Jalen Brunson earning Finals MVP honors.

The Knicks' victory over the Bulls on Wednesday was notable for several reasons beyond Brown's comment.

New York tied a franchise record by scoring 84 points in the first half, matching a mark set on November 18, 1988, against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Brunson finished with 33 points on 10-for-17 shooting, including 5-for-10 from three-point range.

OG Anunoby added 18 points and five rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns posted 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Brunson scored 22 points in the first quarter alone, helping the Knicks build an insurmountable lead.

"It was a really good half in terms of doing what we believe what we should be doing offensively as our staples," Brown said in his post-game press conference.

"Everyone was really good in those areas."

The Bulls, meanwhile, set a franchise record of their own — all 15 players who dressed scored at least one point.

But the game's aftermath has been dominated by Brown's comment about Knecht.

The rookie has yet to respond publicly to the coach's remarks.

Knecht's role with the Knicks is still developing as the team works through its depth issues.

New York's bench has struggled early this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in scoring.

Brown has been experimenting with lineups, using combinations that include guard Jordan Clarkson, forward Landry Shamet, and rookie point guard Tyler Kolek.

"I've been doing that quite a bit," Brown said of his lineup adjustments following the Knicks' win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.

"The sheet [pre-determined game lineups and substitutions] is just something that gives me a little direction or guidance going into the game for different combinations."

"Just have to go with your gut, who you think is playing well, and see if you can find the right combination."