Mike Brown has been impressed by Brunson.
It's indisputable at this point to say that Jalen Brunson is the heart and soul of the New York Knicks, who just reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years.
Brunson was the big-name acquisition for the Knicks back in 2022 and at the time, he was doubted and he was counted out. There wasn't belief that he was the guy with the superstar potential, especially leading a team in a market like the Knicks.
But he's proved every doubter wrong. He's risen to be one of the best guards in the NBA and this playoff run has cemented his legacy even more, leading to an Eastern Conference Finals MVP award after he led the Knicks to a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers to advance.
The talent was always there with Brunson, but the difference maker now has been the way that he works and how his work sets the tone as an example for the rest of the team to follow.
Brunson's Work Ethic
When Knicks head coach Mike Brown was asked what surprised him the most about Brunson when he first took the Knicks coaching job at the beginning of this season, Brown was it was the way Brunson works that stood out right away.
"Most superstars I've been around work extremely hard, but his work ethic, it's off the charts," Brown said (via SNY). "I'm a late night guy and I had to adjust because he makes me tired. I've got to get up now at 7:30 and meet with my coaches because we're having an early shoot-around."
Brunson has been personally responsible for disrupting Brown's routine. Brown said that the team has shoot-arounds whether they're at home or away and without fail, Brunson is at every single session.
That kind of character and work ethic is the something that every player needs, but it's even more crucial for the leader of a team to be able do that.
Leading By Example
On top of his work ethic, Brown has found himself with the emotional steadiness that Brunson exhibits and again, how the example he sets trickles down to the rest of the team.
Brown said that Brunson doesn't get too high or too low on his emotions and that he's "even-keeled" and that in times of adversity, his stability has kept the rest of the team even-keeled as well.
Having that kind of presence within the team is a massive part of what's brought the Knicks together as a team and brought the now-historic results that have taken them just four games away from a championship.
