Jalen Brunson playing for the New York Knicks in 2024. Photo by Rob Carr via Getty Images
Jalen Brunson has certainly been a force for the New York Knicks this season, emerging as one of the NBA’s current superstars. Willis Reed was the only Knick to ever win MVP, doing so way back in 1970, and although Brunson will most likely not win that award this year, his play this season has certainly made him a contender.
In fact, Brunson’s play has reminded coach Tom Thibodeau of another Knick great: Patrick Ewing. Being compared to one of, if not the greatest players in franchise history certainly does not occur for every player. Thibodeau compared Brunson’s skill and work ethic to that of the 11-time All-Star.
“I said this when we first signed them, I knew, and obviously they’re different people and different players, but it reminded me of Patrick [Ewing],” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Patrick wasn’t running around telling people how hard he worked, you saw it every day.”
Brunson Burner
Thibodeau acknowledged how Brunson features an extremely dedicated work ethic that Ewing also featured, which has been reflective of the way the organization does things as a whole. Brunson, therefore, has been a representation of what the Knicks organization views themselves as, like Ewing was.
“So if you just came into the organization, you say, no, this is the way we do things,” Thibodeau continued. “And I think the same holds true. As soon as we signed Jalen [Brunson], it was immediately into the gym. You can come in any day in the summer, and he’s in at the same time, and he’s full speed, great concentration, and there’s no fake-o-gram or Instagram, whatever they call it.”
Brunson has been the savior for the Knicks this season, as co-star Julius Randle went down at the end of January with a dislocated shoulder, which ended up sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
The first-time All-Star played in 77 games this season, in which he averaged 28.7 points, 6.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. He shot 48 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from the three point range.
36 in 50
Sunday saw Brunson notch his 36th game of the season in which he scored 30 or more points, tying the franchise record with none other than Patrick Ewing, who did it in 1990. The parallels continue to be drawn.
After defeating the Chicago Bulls in a thrilling 120-119 overtime victory, the Knicks finished the 2023-24 season with 50 wins, their most since 2013. They locked in the second seed in the East after the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Orlando Magic. They will face either the Philadelphia 76ers or Miami Heat in the first round.
Brunson signed with the Knicks prior to the 2022-23 season, but the 2023-24 season has been his breakout year. He seeks to lead the Knicks to playoff victory as they attempt to make noise in the playoffs, even without Randle on the court. It will be a tall order, but with Brunson playing at the caliber he has all season, it is certainly possible.
