Jalen Brunson has earned his respect around the NBA since arriving with the New York Knicks in 2022, and he’s already earned the respect of his new head coach.
In three seasons under Tom Thibodeau, Brunson rose to become one of the league’s premier point guards, averaging 26.4 points per game, and being named an All-Star and All-NBA twice. Brunson also became one of the NBA’s best playoff performers, helping the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000 last season.
Now with a new head coach at the helm in Mike Brown, Brunson has had to adjust to a new system. So far, he’s earned the respect of Brown, who praised Brunson’s work ethic ahead of the Knicks preseason finale against the Charlotte Hornets.
“Jalen, he's dynamite. He's a first-class individual,” Brown said. “His parents did something right there. I've been around some great ones and his work ethic is right up there with them. That in itself gives him an opportunity to lead by example.”
Brunson and Brown will now look to lead the Knicks to their first championship since 1973 in 2026. Now firmly in a title window, the Knicks are looking to take advantage of a weakened Eastern Conference, and bring a title to New York.