Feb 26, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks
(New York, NY) – Most of the time when someone “mother f’s” you, it’s not so nice. It’s certainly not intended as a compliment most typically.
But as the New York Knicks dispatched the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night en route to the playoffs, Coby White admired his opposite in point guard Jalen Brunson. “(He’s) a motherf—-er.”
It’s certainly high praise… believe it or not. And the league as a whole is waking up to what an incredible player Brunson is, as he continuously pours in 40+ points – seemingly night after night. That includes his stat line against Chicago: 45 points on 13 of 24 shooting (7 of 12 from beyond with three point arc), with 8 assists.
The immediate reaction to Brunson having signed a four-year, $104 million in the summer of 2022 was largely negative. Many NBA pundits called it an overpay, and the routine claim was that Brunson lacks the elite athleticism needed to become a top player.
That criticism has largely faded from view these days. Some call Brunson a top 15 player in the league and he figures to garner MVP points at season’s end.
As for the Knicks playoff hopes, that could hinge on continued dominance from Brunson – as well as the need for someone else to step up alongside him, with Julius Randle sidelined for the rest of the season amid shoulder surgery.
