Here are four key differences the 55-year-old Brown brings that Rose, team owner Jim Dolan and the club's legion of fans are hoping can guide New York back to the promised land after 52 years of waiting.

Through their free-agency activity so far and the expected hiring of Mike Brown to be their next head coach, the New York Knicks have made one thing unassailably clear: They are all-in on juicing their offense—potential collateral damage on defense be absolutely damned.

As a 55-year-old and a four-time fired head coach, Brown represents neither the most obvious nor most exciting choice. If the Knicks struggle, heat will fall quickly on the front office. But Brown is also a safe pick with over 750 regular-season games, a 60% winning percentage and two Coach of the Year awards.