It’s happening again. Jalen Brunson is putting up elite numbers, leading the Knicks through a tough playoff battle, and still—somehow—there’s a section of the basketball world that isn’t giving him his due. And if you ask ESPN’s Mike Greenberg, aka @espngreeny, he’s had enough of it.
During a recent segment on Get Up, Greeny didn’t hold back: “I’m sick and tired of people acting like Jalen Brunson isn’t that guy. He’s a star. He’s a leader. He’s the reason the Knicks are even in this conversation. And anyone still questioning him isn’t watching the same game I am.”
This wasn’t just a moment of hype. It was frustration boiling over—one that’s shared by Knicks fans, New York media, and anyone paying close attention to the postseason. Because what Brunson is doing isn’t just good, it’s historic. And yet, the criticisms keep coming.
OVERLOOKED AND UNDERAPPRECIATED
Jalen Brunson has long been underappreciated. Coming out of Villanova with two NCAA championships under his belt, he still slipped to the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft. Dallas scooped him up, but he wasn’t viewed as anything more than a backup at the time.
Even when he exploded onto the scene during the Mavericks’ 2022 playoff run—dropping 41 points in a Game 2 win without Luka Doncic—many brushed it off as a fluke or system success. Fast forward to his arrival in New York, and doubters questioned if he was worth the hefty contract the Knicks gave him. “Overpaid,” some said. “Not a true No. 1,” others insisted.
But here we are, nearly two full seasons later, and Brunson has not only exceeded expectations—he’s rewritten the narrative entirely.
THE NUMBERS SPEAK LOUDLY
This postseason, Brunson has been an offensive juggernaut. Averaging over 32 points per game, dishing out assists with surgical precision, and carrying a battered Knicks squad through round after round, he’s been nothing short of phenomenal.
And yet, you still hear the same tired arguments: “He’s too small.” “He’s not athletic enough.” “He can’t be the best player on a title team.” But what more do people want?
As Greenberg pointed out, “If any other point guard in the league was doing what Brunson is doing—averaging 30-plus in the playoffs while missing key teammates—they’d be getting MVP-level praise. But because it’s Brunson, there’s always some excuse to downplay it.”
LEADING THROUGH ADVERSITY
What truly sets Brunson apart isn’t just the stats—it’s how he’s doing it. The Knicks have been decimated by injuries. Julius Randle is out. Mitchell Robinson has missed time. OG Anunoby has been on and off the court. And yet, Brunson hasn’t just kept the team afloat—he’s elevated them.
Night after night, with opposing defenses throwing double teams, traps, and physicality at him, Brunson doesn’t flinch. He adapts, adjusts, and finds a way. That’s leadership. That’s resilience. That’s exactly what New York has been missing for years.
And Greeny, a lifelong Knicks fan, sees that. “We’ve been waiting decades for a guy like this,” he said on-air. “Someone who plays every night like it matters, who doesn’t duck the moment, who gives everything to this team and this city. Jalen Brunson is that guy. Period.”
WHY THE HATE?
So why does the criticism persist?
Part of it is market bias. Brunson isn’t flashy in the traditional sense. He’s not doing windmill dunks or launching logo threes. His game is more methodical—based on footwork, angles, intelligence. He’s a technician. And in a league obsessed with highlights, that often gets overlooked.
Another factor is legacy perception. He wasn’t a top-10 pick. He wasn’t anointed. Some players are handed stardom from day one; others have to wrestle it from the shadows. Brunson belongs to the latter group. And for some analysts, that slower rise seems to come with a ceiling they refuse to let him break through.
But Greenberg, and many others, are pushing back.
PUT SOME RESPECT ON HIS NAME
The truth is, there’s no legitimate argument left to deny Jalen Brunson his flowers. He’s played through pain, led with composure, and delivered in big moments. Game-winners, 40-point explosions, gritty road wins—he’s done it all.
What more do you want?
“He’s not just playing great,” Greeny emphasized. “He’s redefining what it means to be a Knick in the modern era. He’s making the Garden believe again. That should be celebrated, not questioned.”
And he’s right. Brunson has done everything you could ask of a franchise leader—and then some.
THE LEGACY TAKES SHAPE
Whether the Knicks go on to win this series or fall short, one thing is certain: Jalen Brunson has established himself as one of the top guards in the NBA. He’s no longer a surprise success story or an underdog. He’s a star, fully formed and battle-tested.
And for those still doubting him, Greenberg has a simple message:
“Wake up. Watch the games. And start appreciating Jalen Brunson for what he is: one of the best players in basketball today.”
