TNT analyst Stan Van Gundy went off at critics of one New York Knicks star.
The first two games of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals didn’t go in favor of the home team, the New York Knicks.
However, instead of giving up, the Knicks bounced back with a 20-point comeback win in Game 3, led by Karl-Anthony Towns.
While KAT’s performance was commendable, it shouldn’t be the reason to forget what an amazing series and playoff run Jalen Brunson is having.
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty ImagesStan Van Gundy called out Jalen Brunson’s critics with Shaquille O’Neal point
Thanks to his phenomenal performances this season, many have seemingly forgotten the amount of criticism that Brunson faced when he joined the team in 2022.
Many went as far as saying that the Knicks overpaid Brunson as he signed a four-year, $104 million contract. However, TNT’s Stan Van Gundy has seemingly always been in Brunson’s corner.
He proved that again when Brunson went off for 43 points, albeit getting handed an overtime loss in Game 1 of the ECF.
“Leon’s [Rose] done a tremendous job here putting this roster together. You think back, for the value of the contract, has there been – ever – a better free-agent signing than Jalen Brunson…
“Shaq to LA? Well, ok. But that’s a max contract. You think Brunson and I mean, a lot of people, even when he got what he got, thought he was overpaid. And he wasn’t getting a max,” Van Gundy said, via SNY TV.
Van Gundy compared Brunson’s arrival in New York to Shaquille O’Neal’s signing as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. O’Neal helped the Lakers win three NBA titles, only time will tell if Brunson can do the same for the Knicks.
Brunson is one of the best players in the league, claims Van Gundy
Van Gundy wasn’t done heaping huge praise on the Knicks star. The TNT analyst claimed JB is one of the best players in the league.
On top of that, SVG believes he has certainly done a better job than Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, who the Knicks acquired via blockbuster trades.
“And now he’s – I think everybody recognizes – one of the best players in the league. Those [trades for Towns and Bridges] haven’t all been met with great enthusiasm by fans and New York media all of the time,” SVG continued.
“But they’ve proven themselves pretty darn good. They put together a heckuva roster right here. With a chance [to win],” he concluded.
Brunson has averaged 29.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game for the Knicks this postseason. If he can help the team end their championship drought, Brunson will instantly become a Knicks legend.