It is hard to imagine what more Jalen Brunson can do to change the minds of his doubters. The New York Knicks guards has been one of the league’s top players since his move to the Big Apple and has guided the organization to their best finish in over a decade. Yet some players and analyst still seem to think he is not the man to get the Knicks over the hump.
The Knicks have not won a NBA championship since 1973 and the fanbase is looking to Brunson to help break the dreaded 51-year drought. Brunson’s intensity and leadership on the court has provided optimism and hope to a franchise that has reached the playoff for just the third time in the last 11 years.
One man who is still not sure about Brunson’s qualities is four-time NBA champion Draymond Green. In a recent episode of his podcast, Green discussed whether Brunson can “carry a team” to a championship.
“Jury’s still out,” said Green on Brunson’s ability to lead the Knicks to a title.
Can Jalen Brunson lead the Knicks to a title? 🏆🤔 @TheVolumeSports pic.twitter.com/tsqADWyCYd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 30, 2024
The Golden State Warriors forward did say that Brunson had his respect and that “he is balling,” but believes a team with the 6-2 guard as their best player likely won’t win a ring.
“Some things that work in the first round, they won’t work moving forward,” added Green.
The Knicks point guard has had a remarkable season. He ranked fourth in the NBA in points per game during regular season with an average of 28.7 and averaged 6.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. Brunson also had 11 games in the 2023-2024 season with 40 or more points. During this year’s playoffs he broke Bernard King’s franchise record for most points in a playoff game and became the only player in NBA playoff history to record 85+ points and 20+ assists over a two-game span.
