Jalen Brunson Praises Jordan Clarkson for New Role With Knicks

Guard Jordan Clarkson does not play big minutes for the New York Knicks, but he has made the most of the ones he gets, and guard Jalen Brunson took notice before Wednesday's home game against the Chicago Bulls.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Bulls game, Brunson said Clarkson handles his role with real professionalism and that a player who is willing to do that makes the whole team better, according to a transcription of the Knicks' availability by Posting and Toasting.

"Great person, great teammate. Off the court, he's a great dude and someone I enjoy being around," Brunson said.

Clarkson did not play against the Pistons on Oct. 27, but he has played well in the three games since, according to the New York Post's Jared Schwartz.

In Monday's 103-90 win over the Nets, he scored seven points on 3-of-5 shooting in under 11 minutes, with five of those points coming in the fourth quarter.

He is averaging 5.5 points in 9.0 minutes per game off the bench this season while shooting 56.0% from the field, which is solid production for a player who never knows how much he will play on a given night, and he has stayed ready through all of it.

Head coach Mike Brown called him the best teammate he has ever coached after the Nets game, and Brown said Clarkson accepts a role that most veterans would not.

That fits a bigger trend for the Knicks, whose bench has been carrying more of the load while the starters work through a slow start, and guard Josh Hart has already talked about the importance of that depth after the win over Brooklyn.

The Knicks are 3-4, and Brunson has not looked like himself yet, shooting 39.3% from the field through seven games.

He brushed that off, saying he is simply missing shots he normally makes, and I believe him, since the looks he is getting are the same ones he has been knocking down for years.

Until Brunson heats up, the Knicks need guys like Clarkson and guard Landry Shamet to keep the offense moving, and center Karl-Anthony Towns has said he is committed to winning in any way he can.

That sort of buy-in from the stars and the role players alike is what made this group a champion last season, and it is good to see it again this early.

Plenty of people have asked whether fans should worry about this start, and I would not panic yet.

Clarkson and Shamet are giving the Knicks a lift off the bench, and that help becomes even bigger if Hart is limited, since he is questionable against Chicago with right ankle soreness.

New York hosts the Bulls on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, a week after beating them in Chicago.

If Brunson finds his shot and the bench keeps playing like this, I think the Knicks will be back above .500 soon, and Clarkson's attitude is a big reason why this team can handle the ups and downs of a long season.