When Jalen Brunson signed his 4-year, $104 million free-agent deal with the Knicks on July 12th, 2022, many scoffed at the team for giving a backup point guard that type of money.
“Same old Knicks,” was the prevailing thought by many despite watching Brunson shred defenses in the playoffs that past season after superstar Luka Doncic was injured.
During the team’s playoff run that year, Brunson elevated his play and went from 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game in the regular season to 21.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 3.7 apg. Thanks to Brunson, the Mavericks advanced to the Western Conference finals.
The general sentiment of doubt by Knicks fans is understandable for the team has a history of poor player personnel and contract decisions. Names such as Jerome James, Eddy Curry, Frédéric Weis and Joakim Noah immediately come to mind. Some even include Allan Houston’s six-year, $100 million deal in the discussion.
So hesitation is natural for Knicks fans relating to big contract signings.
Another reason for doubt is that the organization long lacked a superstar. As great as Carmelo Anthony was, he couldn’t bring New York its first title since 1973. And he didn’t have the impact that Patrick Ewing had during his 15 years and 11 All-Star nods in the Big Apple.
The team has Julius Randle, and while he’s a 2x All-Star, he isn’t a superstar or a player the entire city rallies around. If you’re going to be that type of player in NYC, you have to be the city and everything it represents. If you have it as a player, the city and its people will embrace you.
In year two in New York, Jalen Brunson has proven that he has what the city has craved for so long- a star and a leader who represents what the city is.
It began during last season’s playoffs when Brunson put the Knicks on his back and did everything he could to help the team advance.
While Randle was having a rough postseason, Brunson shined. In the first round, he averaged 24 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 4.8 apg and led NY to a 4-1 victory over the Cavaliers. But in round 2, Brunson took his game to another level, increased his totals to 31, 5.5 and 6.6, respectively, and almost beat the Heat by himself.
Afterward, Knicks fans were ready to call him a superstar but it was only year one. He wasn’t even an All-Star (he was robbed), so could he be the superstar the city needed?
This season, Brunson has answered that question.
The soon-to-be All-Star is averaging a career-best 26 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 5.9 apg and he is the face and heart and soul of the team.
He plays hard, is fearless in the paint, takes charges, gets hit in the face and keeps going. He even has a post-up game reminiscent of New York point guard legend, Mark Jackson.
That’s NYC basketball and the city itself.
Brunson has the heart of John Starks with better stats and more consistency. And to have a game like a former NYC point guard makes Brunson even more NY.
Now that fans have embraced him and his game, it’s time the Knicks market him that way.
Brunson is not a vocal, in-your-face player and doesn’t command attention like other stars, but he lets his game do the talking, and right now his game is screaming.
In the Knicks’ 129-122 victory over the Bucks on Christmas Day, Brunson dropped 38 points and became the third-highest scorer in team history on Christmas Day.
Brunson should be the public face of the team.
He should be on billboards and the sides of buildings across all five boroughs. His picture should be emblazoned on subways and an all-out blitz for Brunson to make the All-Star team should be in effect.
Many years ago when it was at its peak, Brunson would be a celebrated guest at the Rucker. This summer he should receive a superstar’s welcome at Dykman.
But Brunson could be more than an All-Star this season. If he continues playing at his current level, he could be All-NBA.
That’s why the team must complement his play on the court with a campaign for him off of it.
Based on his personality and laid-back demeanor, I think Jalen Brunson would probably shy away from a massive PR campaign, but he deserves it.
And after lacking a superstar on the NBA hardwood at MSG for so long, so does the city.
