Jalen Brunson spearheaded the New York Knicks through one of the most dominant playoff runs in NBA history and it all culminated with the Knicks' first championship in 53 years and a Finals MVP award for Brunson, and he did it all with his father by his side. 

This playoff run has truly cemented his legacy and proved an endless sea of doubters wrong. Doubters who deemed him too small, unathletic and called the Knicks pursuing him as their free agent star a mistake that wouldn't lead to anything. 

Instead, he's become the most beloved athlete in New York City today with his leadership, his commitment and his iconic performances in the clutch. 

Brunson was working with the odds stacked against him because of all the perceived imperfections in his body or his game, but he never let that stop his pursuit of greatness, nor did it stop his father, Rick Brunson, who coached his son every step in the way, including as an assistant coach for the Knicks for this championship.

"Those drives in the car, days at the park, you dream and talk about what you can be. To be here with him and win a championship, it’s crazy," Rick Brunson said (via NBA_Courtside).

Rick Brunson's connection to the Knicks extends well past being Jalen's father or his assistant coach. He was a journeyman NBA player for nine seasons himself and even played for the Knicks the last time they were in the Finals in 1999. 

He played a grand total of 10 seconds during that series, but it's still a big part of his and his son's legacies as Knicks now that Jalen Brunson has become the King of New York and the savior of Knicks basketball.

Since Jalen Brunson was a kid, his father has been training him to be not only a NBA player, but a NBA star, no matter what limitation he may have been working with. 

The way that Rick has pushed Jalen was a hard fought path, but it's culminated in one of the most improbable underdog stories in NBA history and now both father and son, side by side as the trophies were presented, could enjoy being champions together. 

"I still can’t really comprehend what’s going on," Jalen Brunson said after the game. "I’ll say this, I’m through the roof right now. Nothing beats this feeling for real. To be with him [Rick Brunson], makes it 10x better."