One of the players who burst onto the scene during the 2023-24 NBA season was New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson. Even the people who criticized the Knicks for signing him in free agency in 2022 have changed their tune, as Brunson has transformed into a star before our eyes.
What he was able to accomplish during the 2023 NBA Postseason was truly impressive. Despite not having a healthy supporting cast, Brunson put the team on his back and carried it through six games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat before being eliminated.
Some NBA analysts said that was just the beginning of what we would see from Brunson, and it turns out they were right. This season, he took his game to another level, being named an All-Star for the first time and putting himself in position to be named to one of the All-NBA teams.
His performance has attracted attention all season, and more recently, two former NBA stars have spoken out about him. On a recent episode of Bully Ball with Rachel Nichols and DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo was a guest. Brunson and the Knicks became a topic of discussion, and both former NBA players sang their praises.
“This Knicks team is built strictly on toughness. I think Jalen Brunson should be one of the biggest names when it comes to MVP this season…” Cousins said.
He wouldn’t be the only one to think so, as opponents know what they’re in for when they face the Knicks. It will be a physical, slow-paced game in which you will have to earn everything on both ends of the pitch.
Rondo, who made headlines this week by announcing his official retirement from the NBA, also spoke highly of Brunson. He likes what he sees so much that he’s showing his son videos of the Knicks star to learn how to play.
“…I think he’s been underrated his whole career…I even have my son watching him as much as possible…” Rondo said.