All-Star Game or Bust for New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson?
After taking a massive leap in his first season with the New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson has solidified himself as one of the NBA’s best point guards. As the Knicks look to make a deep playoff run in 2024, talents like RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and Immanuel Quickley ... players viewed as strong, but not superstars ... will need to make strides to become better, but the team clearly belongs to Brunson.
Last season, he posted 24 points per game, 6.2 assists, and shot 41 percent from deep with limited attempts. While that didn't put him on the level of All-Stars Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant, Damian Lillard, and Jrue Holiday, some still include him among the NBA’s best players.
As Morant serves his 25-game suspension and Holiday gets used to a new team (be it Portland or elsewhere), Brunson will have a clearer path to the upcoming All-Star Game in Indianapolis. He is only 26 years old, plays in the best media market in the world, and appears to be succeeding at restoring the Knicks' relevancy. Barring injury, it isn’t a stretch to say that his season will be a failure if he doesn’t make his first All-Star Game as he is handed the keys to the offense once again.
Brunson (11) dribbles during a 2023 meeting against Toronto
Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report even suggested that Brunson could make an All-NBA team, a lofty goal for many reasons. For starters, even Brunson’s biggest fans will readily admit that he is not the best point guard in the league. While he is incredible and one of the most underrated players in the league, which is hard to do in NYC, there is more talent in the league than ever before.
Secondly, the Association seems to be moving away from the traditional point guard position, which was made clear in last season’s All-NBA teams. There was not a traditional point guard among the first team, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his former Dallas teammate Luka Doncic took those honors. Lillard, Stephen Curry, and De'Aron Fox were all relegated to the second and third teams.
No one in their right mind would claim that Brunson is better than Curry and Lillard, and with the emergence of Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton, there are plenty of point guards who could take Brunson’s spot. Even LaMelo Ball could get the nod if he stays healthy.
It’s very rare for a Knick or Los Angeles Laker to get snubbed from the NBA’s marquee event, but Brunson and Randle will have to play some of the most electric basketball New York has ever seen to make the All-Star Game. But Knicks fans won't care if the duo leads the way toward their true, team goal: basketball in June.
