New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson has taken the NBA by storm since joining the team. There were many naysayers who believed the Knicks were making a mistake by signing Brunson as a free agent in 2022, but he proved all those people wrong.
Throughout his basketball career, Brunson has been doubted by just about everyone. At every step he was told that he was too small or not athletic enough to succeed. He uses it as motivation to improve his craft and has transformed himself not only into one of the best basketball players in the NBA but in the world.
This level of improvement led to Brunson receiving a very special offer this past offseason. He was invited to play with Team USA at the men’s FIBA World Cup and was named team captain.
It was the first time he was part of the men’s national team, given that his previous international experience dates back to when he was a teenager. His experience then versus last year was much different, as he took home a gold medal in 2015. This time, Team USA finished disappointingly in fourth place.
During the NBA All-Star Break, Brunson appeared on All The Smoke Podcast with former NBA players Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes. His experience on Team USA was one of the topics discussed.
During the interview, Brunson revealed that his journey was ruined once the team lost. While he visited some beautiful cities, once Team USA was out of the running for first place, Brunson couldn’t have any fun. This type of attitude is what Jackson and Barnes believe will lead Brunson to find the most success in the NBA by winning a ring.