If you told a New York Knicks fan five years ago that they would be in the Eastern Conference Finals by 2025, they probably wouldn’t believe you.
Espescially if you told them that a short, stocky guard named Jalen Brunson would be at the center of that turnaround.
That’s exactly what has transpired. Brunson, a college basketball icon who, upon entering the NBA, was a solid reserve guard for four seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, has catapulted into superstardom since joining the Knicks. His rapid rise has caught many by surprise, even those who were the highest on him couldn’t have predicted that he’d become THIS good.
Among those caught by surprise is Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers. Appearing on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Rivers — previously the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics — spoke very highly of Brunson.
“I liked him in Dallas, you know, he played okay against me when he was in the first year in Philly,” Rivers said. “But when we played them, I think it was at home last year, and I was like, holy gosh, this guy is good.”
Brunson averaged 11.9 points and 3.7 assists per game in four seasons with the Mavericks. In three seasons with the Knicks, he has averaged 26.4 points and 6.7 assists per game and been named an All-Star and All-NBA twice.
“With his size. To be that unstoppable to me is just absolutely unbelievable,” Rivers added.
Rivers does have concerns over Brunson’s long-term health given his hard-nosed play style. Nonetheless, Rivers says that he’s been proven wrong by Brunson’s ascension.
“You worry about his health because the way he plays, he plays almost, you know, running back basketball, if you know what I mean,” Rivers said. “Everything’s physical stuff, but man, he’s way better than I thought he was.”
