The New York Knicks had been chasing glory for the longest time imaginable. Their last championship came in 1973, while the team hadn’t made the NBA Finals itself since 1999. As a result, they became the laughing stock of the entire league.
That moniker has slowly started to shift in recent years, as they’ve developed a quality perennial playoff threat. A well-rounded team, Jalen Brunson has been the head of the snake since he joined the roster. But, a franchise icon, Jeremy Lin, believes some of his sacrifices have gotten overlooked.
The Price Jalen Brunson Paid for the New York Knicks
After a strong run in the playoffs with the Dallas Mavericks, the Knicks brought in Brunson to be their lead guard. At the time, the decision was heavily scrutinized, as it looked like a massive overpay for the former second-round pick.
However, on the back of three consecutive All-Star appearances, as New York has gone further in the postseason each year, the 6-foot-2 star has earned his stature in the league. Averaging over 25 points per game in that timeframe, he’s stepped it up a notch in the playoffs.
He became the engine of an offense that can also sustain OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns. With their talent and chemistry, they have built a historic unit this year, winning 13 consecutive postseason games with a record margin of victory.
However, acquiring those pieces cost the Knicks a lot of resources. And Lin, who was the reason for the term “Linsanity” when he electrified Madison Square Garden, believes the recruitment would not have been possible without the superstar point guard.
“He is starting to get [the attention] now and definitely deserves it,” Lin told The California Post. “I don’t think enough people are talking about him giving up $113 million to build a team full of players that want to win. I think that speaks volumes. That’s also historic.”
Consistently viewed as one of the most underrated players in the league, Brunson also has a Clutch Player of the Year award on his resume. “It’s not talked about enough. Now he’s starting to get some of the recognition he deserves as a player, but he’s the consummate teammate and professional.”
Now, as the Knicks stand on the cusp of history with a 2-1 lead over the San Antonio Spurs, much of the attention has shifted to the sublime shooting of Anunoby, Bridges, and Towns, whose overall impact, especially defensively, is hard to overstate.
However, the center of the entire operation remains Brunson, who’s already knocked down two of the biggest shots in the series, including the game-winning free throw in Game 2. Somehow, even two wins away from history, his impact remains undersold.
