If the election started today and Jalen Brunson decided to run for governor of New York, he would win by a landslide.
If someone gets offered to choose between a million dollars or become Brunson’s best friend for a week, the answer is obvious. Clue: It is not the million dollars.
Okay, those may be exaggerations. But it is hard to overstate how important Brunson is in the Big Apple after leading the New York Knicks to their first title in 53 years. He was named the Finals MVP after averaging 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.0 steals against the San Antonio Spurs.
He is more beloved than Mayor Zohran Mamdani. He is bigger than the Statue of Liberty. Not since King Kong climbed the Empire State Building had anyone captured the imagination of the city quite like Brunson did in the NBA Finals.
Even his father, Rick Brunson, an assistant coach on the Knicks, was in disbelief, as reported by The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor.
“I’d be lying to you if I thought he’d be this good. I just wanted someone to come to New York, run a team, and hopefully have a chance to win a championship,” said the former guard, who played for New York in the NBA Finals in 1999.
Walt Frazier, who won two rings with the Knicks, admitted that he was skeptical when the team signed Brunson in 2022—to a lucrative contract at that. But the All-NBA playmaker proved him wrong.
“When we first acquired him, I would’ve been happy with 20 points and six assists, because they talk about his height and having no speed,” said Frazier.
“But he found a way. In every series, he found a way. The (San Antonio) Spurs have excellent defenders on the perimeter, and they were frustrated and devastated by Brunson. It’s a testament to his sagacity. His game is right between the ears.”
Brunson is not about styling and profiling. He keeps his head down and puts in the work, which he credited after their victory against the Spurs in Game 5 on Saturday.
He ended decades of despair, dejection, and disappointment, and for that, he will forever be a legend.
His personality—even his game—may be understated, but it is only prudent to scream: Brunson is the King of New York!
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