New York Knicks 2023-24 Player Preview: What Can Jalen Brunson Do For an Encore?

Jalen Brunson exceeded every expectation in his New York Knicks debut but year two carries a new level of excitement.

Autumn in New York ... from a basketball perspective, it's finally inviting.

The New York Knicks return to action on Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) in a game that will officially open one of the more anticipated seasons in recent metropolitan memory. New York is coming off its most successful NBA season in a decade, winning 47 games and a playoff series for the first time since 2013.

With tip-off looming, All Knicks will analyze and preview what's to come for the major contributors on the blue-and-orange roster. Part II turns to Jalen Brunson in time for his second season in Manhattan ...

Jalen Brunson is poised to be the face of Knicks basketball for the road ahead / Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports

Player Profile

Name: Jalen Brunson
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-2, 190 lbs. 
College: Villanova
Experience: 6th season (2nd with Knicks)

The Story So Far

Everything about Jalen Brunson's arrival from North Texas last summer felt like a typical new-century Knicks horror story, namely one from the free agency genre. Brunson, in fact, could've been a composite character for several metropolitan failures from abroad: he was handed a big check (Joakim Noah) after a postseason breakout (Jerome James) and was expected to be a headliner after being an eternal second fiddle (Eddy Curry). It could've gone wrong in a million different ways.

Instead, the move might've set a new course for the team's future.

Even if the Association's powers that be refused to recognize it, perhaps no one defined the "V" in MVP better than Brunson, whose first season in Manhattan altered the course of two franchises: whereas the Dallas Mavericks were reduced to relying on a variety of veteran fill-ins ranging from Kemba Walker to Kyrie Irving, the Knicks found a backcourt leader eager to prove that his 2022 postseason breakout was no fluke. 

To the tune of career-best averages of 24 points and 6.2 assists, Brunson stabilized the Knicks' backcourt picture and became a reliable top offensive option. Instead of desperately scouring the in-season waiver wire for late-season reinforcements (i.e. Patrick Beverley, Russell Westbrook), they had Brunson to lead the way. Once the postseason got rolling, Brunson retained his playoff prowess to the tune of 27.8 points a game, including 41 in the ultimately futile final hour against Miami. 

Brunson kept busy over the summer: he married his high school sweetheart Ali Marks in a ceremony that had to be moved up due to his participation in the American effort at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. While the Americans tumbled to a disappointing fourth-place finish, Brunson was lauded for further generating his offensive game and leadership skills, earning the trust of a championship coaching staff headlined by Steve Kerr and Erik Spoelstra. 

They Said It

"I think Jalen is such a natural leader. Because he's a point guard, he immediately comes to mind. He's the one who's leading the '1, 2, 3 USA' chant. Some guys just, it just comes naturally to them."-Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr on Brunson's leadership during Team USA camp (h/t Tim Bontemps, ESPN)

“My preparation, my focus, is going to have to turn another notch up,” he said. “Teams are going to try to do things to get me uncomfortable, but I’ve been able to adapt in any situation. How teams play me or whatever, it’s all about how I can be effective to help my team win. They are going to take things away, but how am I going to respond to make sure we’re in (a) position to win.”-Brunson on his approach for 2023-24 (h/t Zach Braziller, New York Post)

2023-24 Forecast 

Like the Knicks as a whole, Brunson isn't going to sneak up on anybody this year. There's no doubt he's willing to accept the challenge, as he's taken each and every one head-on. It's all about how he responds to it.

The Knicks developed a decent sense of chemistry last year, so there's no reason to believe that Brunson and Julius Randle are going to be fighting over the ball. But this has to be the year that Brunson leaves his mark on the team and firmly establishes himself as the team's number one offensive option. He's well on his way as is but it has to last all season, a quest made all the more vital now that he has a year in the Tom Thibodeau grinder to work with. 

His Asian adventure with Team USA should also pace Brunson for an exercise in team leadership. The point guard wisely took on a bit of a back seat in the early going (often deferring to Randle) but in a modern Association dominated by backcourt affairs, this is his time to shine.

This one may be out of Brunson's control, but this should also be a year where his talents are recognized nationally. It shouldn't be too much to ask him to reach the All-Star team this time around or even land amongst the All-NBA representatives. 

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