The New York Knicks have been on the rise in recent seasons, most recently making the Eastern Conference Finals.
The changing trajectory of the New York Knicks was recently highlighted by reports the franchise is ready to turn down Kevin Durant.
Recently fired head coach Tom Thibodeau was the pivotal figure in the Knicks’ revival, while there have been some major contributions from his players too.
None more so than Jalen Brunson, who the Knicks pushed hard to sign in 2022 in free agency after clearing enough cap space to offer him a four-year, $104 million contract.
Brunson has not let the Knicks down, developing into one of the NBA’s best players, reaching a level he did not look ready for on the Dallas Mavericks.
Doc Rivers blown away by Jalen Brunson
One veteran NBA head coach explains that he did not expect Jalen Brunson to develop into the player he has.
Speaking to the Bill Simmons podcast, Doc Rivers named Brunson as the player in the NBA who has surprised him the most over the past two years.
Rivers, coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and previously the Philadelphia 76ers and LA Clippers among others, paid tribute to Brunson.
He said: “I liked him in Dallas, you know, he played okay against me when he was in the first year in Philly.
“But when we played them, I think it was at home last year, and I was like, holy gosh, this guy is good.”
Rivers has one concern over Jalen Brunson
The Milwaukee Bucks head coach is full of admiration for Jalen Brunson, but he does have a worry over how long he can maintain playing at the top level in the NBA.
Rivers said: “With his size. To be that unstoppable to me is just absolutely unbelievable.
“You worry about his health because the way he plays, he plays almost, you know, running back basketball, if you know what I mean.
“Everything’s physical stuff, but man, he’s way better than I thought he was.”
Rivers admits Brunson has proven him wrong already in his career, and won’t be surprised if it continues.
Brunson’s rise has been a big talking point in the NBA over the past three seasons, with the Dallas Mavericks criticized for letting him walk out the door.
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison is on record describing his exit as a ‘blow’, although he was clearly unaware how good Brunson could become.
