Why New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson Destined For 1st All-Star Game

Jalen Brunson made a noticeable difference in the New York Knicks' fortunes despite the lack of an All-Star berth.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson impressed many with his play last year, establishing himself as one of the NBA's rising backcourt talents in the first season of a $104 million contract in Manhattan. That, however, wasn't enough to impress NBA All-Star Game voters, who turned Brunson into one of the biggest snubs of the exhibition.

Now, NBA.com believes that this could be the season where Brunson gets his first All-Star selection, listing him as one of five potential debuts in this February's festivities in Indianapolis.

"An All-Star snub in 2022-23, Brunson enters this season poised to make the All-NBA team after averaging a career-high 24 PPG, 6.2 APG, and shot a career-best 41.6% on 3-pointers in 2022-23," NBA.com's Michael C. Wrigh says. "That’s not to mention the added momentum of a strong summer on the international stage he enjoyed, too."

Jalen Brunson put up career-best numbers in his debut season with the Knicks / USA Today Sports

Those numbers and more weren't enough to impress the voters behind any postseason accolades: Brunson received no recognition for his role in the Knicks' most successful season in a decade Instead, it was forward Julius Randle who was nominated to his second All-Star Game in Salt Lake City in February.

Some believe that Brunson is the clear top option on the Knicks ahead of Randle, even though the latter also earned Third Team All-NBA honors last season. 

"The undisputed catalyst of a Knicks squad coming off its first postseason appearance since 2020-21, Brunson will have the support of the fans in the country’s largest media market, which should play big in voting," Wright predicts. "He started off slowly last season but increased his scoring average by 7.6 PPG in January. This season, expect (the) 27-year-old to hit the ground running given the team’s lofty expectations."

Not only could there be an All-Star selection in Brunson's near future, but if he keeps improving and increases his season averages, he could be looking at his first All-NBA nomination as well.

Brunson and the Knicks will tip off the 2023-24 season on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden against the Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).