Jalen Brunson is happy to receive the praise, but he's staying focused at the same time.
New York Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson has been on a rollercoaster ride these past few months.
While Brunson had already reached beloved status in New York itself, so much so that he apparently received write-in votes during the last mayoral election, leading the Knicks on a 13-game playoff winning streak and the Knicks' first championship in 53 years has catapulted him not just to the level of NBA star, but celebrity.
He's hosted Saturday Night Live and is scheduled to appear in an episode of "Law and Order: SVU" during the program's latest season, but more than anything else, Brunson has earned his recognition across the NBA.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesUps and Downs in Brunson's Career
He's been on quite a journey throughout his career. He started out as a second-round pick and bench player for the Dallas Mavericks, rose to prominence as a playoff performer in Dallas and then shocked the NBA world when he signed with the Knicks as their next superstar in 2022.
At the time, the move was laughed at and criticized, but Brunson has proven the doubters wrong and ascended as both a champion and one of the best point guards in the NBA, if not one of the best players in general.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks to drive past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY SportsBut true to his character, Brunson is letting all of his newfound praise distract him or worse yet, satisfy him.
During the Knicks' Media Day, Brunson responded to all of the praise he's received from some of the NBA's biggest stars, including players like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Brunson's Appreciation
"I really do appreciate it, I respect the hell out of them," Brunson said (via SNY Knicks). "To hear that from those guys, I really do appreciate it. But just like a lot of things, when you hear praise or you hear negativity, it has to go through one ear [and] out the other and you gotta continue how to be the best version of yourself, or people are going to pass you."
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsBrunson has had a lot of practice in tuning out the bad news, hot takes and major criticisms that have followed throughout his life in basketball, but tuning out so much praise is a different challenge, though one he still seems to be excelling at.
As great as the Knicks' championship was, the next season has almost arrived and being the defending champions doesn't guarantee that the Knicks will be the repeating champions. Brunson knows that and he also knows he can't simply coast on his own freshly-elevated reputation for the rest of his career.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles as New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesSo he carries on, maybe a little bit lifted by the praise, recognition and accolades, but he knows that he and his team have work to do and they'll need to prove themselves all over again.
The work was done last year in New York, but defending a title and keeping the Larry O'Brien Trophy in Madison Square Harden doesn't come from simply sitting by and pointing at a banner that's already been hung. The Knicks, and especially Brunson, are ready to go right back at it.
