Jalen Brunson cemented himself as an NBA superstar amid New York’s 2023-24 playoff run, mean-mugging his way to a few unforgettable performances. Brunson averaged 32 points-per-game during the postseason and he scored at least 39 points for five games straight with a high of 47. Injuries cut the Knicks’ rotation down to just six players and they fell to Indiana in game seven after eliminating Philly in round one.
New York kicked off their offseason when they traded five first-round draft picks for Mikal Bridges to complete their Villanova four stack, to the delight of Knicks fan-fiction writers everywhere. Bridges joins Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, who won a national championship together at Villanova in 2016, and again in 2018 without Hart.
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This squad was created to beat one team in particular — Boston. With OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges on defense, they have the ability to slow down Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. But is it enough to stop them? Was it the right time to make an all-in move?
Only time will tell, but New York’s short-handed playoff performance last year inspired confidence in the team and their unspoken leader Jalen Brunson. The team looks bought in on coach Tom Thibodeau’s philosophy and the front office still has some assets left if they want to make another, smaller splash.
Can this Knicks squad win a championship? Is Jalen Brunson him?
New York’s season kicks off on October 22nd when they look to crash Boston’s ring ceremony.
Jake Flynn is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can find more of his work on Medium.
