In early August, Jalen Brunson was named the New York Knicks’ first captain in five years, a huge honor for the star point guard.
To celebrate, the team released a video full of congratulatory messages from some of the biggest names in sports. The first to speak? None other than New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter, a five-time World Series champion.
Jeter’s message was heartfelt. “Man, I have enjoyed watching you develop and get better year after year,” he said. “And I look forward to that continuing as you lead the Knicks back to where they belong.” For Brunson, hearing those words from a sports icon he grew up admiring meant a lot, especially since he’s been studying leadership methods of greats like Jeter to help guide the Knicks to success. Madison Square Garden will be buzzing when they open the season against the Pacers on Friday night.
Brunson made headlines earlier in the offseason for his surprising decision to sign a team-friendly four-year, $156.5 million extension. He could have waited until next summer and secured a more lucrative five-year deal, but he chose to help the Knicks maintain flexibility under the salary cap. This selfless move was reminiscent of other superstar athletes like Jeter, Tom Brady, and Patrick Mahomes, who took less money to build better teams around them.
Knicks all in on Brunson
In the span of just two months, the Knicks showed they were all-in on Brunson. They made major moves, including trading five first-round picks for Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges, who was his college teammate at Villanova. They also re-signed OG Anunoby, a defensive powerhouse, on a five-year, $212 million deal, and pulled off a blockbuster trade for four-time All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, shipping off Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.
Now, with the Yankees headed to their first World Series in 15 years and the New York Liberty celebrating their first WNBA title, the Knicks could be the next New York team to make a big splash. And just like throughout the offseason, Brunson will be at the heart of everything as the team looks to show they were right to build around him.
Everywhere you looked this year, Brunson’s presence was undeniable. During the playoffs, he was featured on a massive Nike billboard just one block from Madison Square Garden. He starred in a national AT&T commercial airing throughout March Madness and even appeared with his dad, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, on city buses as part of a Brooks Brothers campaign.
Josh Hart thoughts
“He’s the king of New York,” said Knicks guard Josh Hart, another Villanova teammate, during training camp. “It’s dope to see where he’s made it to. But it doesn’t get to his head.” Brunson’s rise to stardom has been rapid, but no one has tapped into it more effectively than the Knicks themselves. Since signing with New York, Brunson has delivered performances that make Knicks fans dream big. He finished fifth in MVP voting last season and scored 40 or more points in four straight playoff games—something only Michael Jordan had done in 1993.
Despite being just 6-foot-2, Brunson dominated on the court last season. He led the Eastern Conference in drive attempts and showcased his intricate footwork and signature high-arcing floater. His ability to draw fouls and finish plays even while being fouled set him apart, with stats typically reserved for taller stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James.
In return, the Knicks have surrounded Brunson with talent, adding Towns to further complement his skillset. Last season, Brunson carried New York’s offense, leading them to a top-10 ranking in efficiency and recording career-highs in points and assists. However, without Randle as a secondary scorer due to injury, Brunson had to work harder than almost anyone in the league to create space for himself.
Towns is helping Brunson
Enter Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks struggled in pick-and-pop situations last year, but that’s where Towns excels. He ranked second in the league in points from pick-and-pops last season and is a proven threat from beyond the arc. Early indications suggest Towns is already helping Brunson by drawing defenders away and opening up the court. During preseason, Brunson faced fewer contesting defenders in the paint compared to last season, signaling positive changes ahead.
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Defensively, Towns struggled in the season opener against the Celtics, who tied an NBA record with 29 3-pointers. The Knicks will need to find ways to protect the paint with Towns at center after he spent much of his career playing power forward alongside Rudy Gobert. It’s a key challenge for New York this season, but one the front office believes is worth tackling.
Brunson is optimistic about the new dynamic. “It gives us another weapon,” he said. And with the court more open than ever, as Josh Hart put it, “The rim is going to be there.” All eyes will be on Brunson, the team’s captain, to lead this revamped Knicks roster and show why they’re poised for something special this season.