One of the biggest reasons why the New York Knicks look like legitimate title contenders is the presence of Jalen Brunson. Regardless of whether the 6’2″ point guard is having an off night on the court, his determination and poise in clutch moments continue to guide his team to wins.
Unlike many modern-day stars, the two-time All-Star never fades when the stakes rise. However, for Paul Pierce, even that isn’t enough, as he boldly claimed that he doesn’t see the 28-year-old as the best player on a ‘championship’ team.
Pierce take on Brunson
Speaking on an episode of “The Herd” show, the 2008 NBA champion acknowledged that while Brunson is a great closer and can should the offensive load in every game, he emphasized how history has showcased that until your point guard is a top-10 legend like Magic Johnson or Stephen Curry — someone who can impact games in multiple ways – it’s rare for a franchise to win it all with even a decent point guard.
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According to “The Truth,” relying on a solid but not generational point guard as your best player isn’t a long-term recipe for success. Perhaps that’s the reason why the Knicks aren’t the top contenders for a title.
“Jalen Brunson is an amazing player. I just don’t think he can be your best player on a championship team,” Pierce said. “I don’t think a point guard can be your best player. If your point guard is your best player… that means he’s an all-time great. I’m talking about Top 10 – Steph, Magic, Isiah, and that comes around almost never.”
A top-10 spot isn’t earned overnight. It takes years of dominance, consistency, and leadership — traits Magic and Curry have spent their careers embodying. But what JB has already accomplished is telling.
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Now, in his third year with the Knicks and seventh year overall, he hasn’t become the true leader, but has earned the trust of such a storied franchise to build a team around him to chase the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Sure, he may not drain threes like “Chef Curry” or dish out no-look, applaud-worthy passes like Magic to make the game easy for his teammates. But his grit and grind mentality to never disappear in high-stakes moments has become the X-factor for the Knicks.
Brunson needs to win big with the Knicks
Consider this: in a playoff series where even Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown struggle to maintain efficiency, Brunson still manages to lead all scorers with an average of 24.3 points per game. That speaks volumes about his individual talent. But if he truly wants to silence doubts about his ceiling as a franchise cornerstone, he must carry the Knicks to the Finals.
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Producing greatness through stats alone is difficult for younger players like Brunson — who haven’t had league-leading numbers of All-NBA First-Team selections.
However, JB has repeatedly showcased how he can be the best player on the court on any given night, and that’s exactly the kind of intangible edge needed to shift the narrative, silence the critics, and ensure that team success can follow his lead.
Related: Ray Allen on the most unusual thing about the playoffs this season: “Fascinating”