Jalen Brunson has transformed the New York Knicks into NBA Finals contenders for the first time since 1999.
His leadership has united the city of New York in a way rarely seen before.
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Fans from all backgrounds are wearing jerseys of Brunson, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Chants of “MVP” echo at Madison Square Garden whenever Brunson steps to the free-throw line.
The Knicks are now two wins away from their first championship since 1973. They hold a 2–0 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs.
Overcoming Early Criticism
When Brunson signed with the Knicks in 2022, many media figures doubted him. Stephen A.
Smith questioned the move, saying, “Jalen Brunson isn’t the answer.”
Frank Isola suggested Brunson’s playoff success with the Mavericks was only due to Luka Dončić’s injury. Nick Wright called the signing “the saddest sweepstakes ever.”
Even Becky Hammon, a six-time WNBA All-Star, argued that Brunson was too small to be the best player on a championship team.
She cited historical trends showing that shorter guards rarely lead teams to titles.
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Hammon acknowledged Stephen Curry as an exception but maintained her stance.
Even after Brunson led the Knicks to the Finals, she said, “If he proves me wrong, he proves me wrong.”
Proving the Doubters Wrong
This season, Brunson has silenced critics with his performance. He made the All-NBA second team and won the Larry Bird Trophy as Eastern Conference finals MVP.
