'I Want to Kick Their Ass,' Knicks' Mike Brown Sends Message to Spurs Despite Personal Connections

Mike Brown has plenty of connections on the opposite bench heading into the NBA Finals, but the New York Knicks head coach will have no love for those in the San Antonio Spurs organization over the next few weeks.

"They definitely want to beat me and I want to kick their ass," Brown told reporters on Sunday. "I love them and you can always love them before and after."

Brown was an assistant with San Antonio from 2000 to 2003, so he has plenty of ties to his opponent in the Finals. The former Sacramento Kings coach will also be going up against his former franchise player, De'Aaron Fox, who is now with the Spurs.

Brown, who is in his first season with the Knicks after spending three seasons as the Kings' head coach, just wrapped up a dominant sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, another squad he had ties to, as he served two different stints as head coach.

Brown and New York will have their biggest test going up against the Spurs, but the Knicks have plenty of momentum heading into the matchup after winning their last 11 games.