Marv Albert Praises 'Exciting' Knicks, 'Clutch' Jalen Brunson Deal

Marv Albert, the voice of the New York Knicks and the NBA's biggest games, spoke on the modern state of the team as it embarks on one of its most prosperous runs in recent memory.

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Does Marv Albert approve of the current trajectory of the New York Knicks? 

The former voice of the Knicks used a few more words this time around, but indirectly replied with his classic catchphrase of "Yes!" in an interview with Steve Serby of the New York Post.

Albert is no longer involved in the NBA Playoffs and thus won't be calling the Knicks' ongoing affairs in the postseason, which continue against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals that continue to Tuesday night (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). He has, however, kept track of the Knicks' most lucrative season in recent memory, one that has already seen them end a 10-year drought when it comes to postseason series victories.

"(President) Leon Rose, (general manager) Scott Perry, and World Wide Wes (executive VP William Wesley) were questioned early, but they’ve done a very good job with this team," Albert said. "(Golden State Warriors head coach) Steve Kerr says that during the playoffs, it’s almost a different sport. The Knicks are playing that sport. In the playoffs, it’s all about intensity, it’s tightening the rotation usually. It’s kind of a throwback even though the three-point shot is still in vogue. But the Knicks are hitting a lot of twos."

"(Fans) are excited that the team is actually a good team. (There are) feelings of joy that they’ve done so well and they’re an exciting team to root for."

To Albert's point, the Knicks attempted just over 29 three-pointers a game in their five-game series victory over Cleveland, the second-lowest rate amongst the 16 NBA Playoff competitors. It was a theory further proven in Sunday's semifinal opener: the Knicks tried 34 shots from three-point range and sank only seven in the 108-101 loss that gave Miami a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven set.

Even if the Knicks do fall to the Heat, Albert believes the Knicks are well-stocked for the future, thanks primarily to the signing of Jalen Brunson. The current Knicks' point guard has fulfilled every expectation a four-year $104 million contract placed upon him over the summer. Albert, who saw his share of New York victories as the primary radio/television voice of the team for nearly four decades (1967-2004), believes it stands as one of the transactional high points in franchise history.

"I think the (deal) for Jalen Brunson is the best deal in the history of the Knicks, the most significant move since acquiring Dave DeBusschere, and then later on, Earl Monroe," Albert declared. "Brunson is such a smart player. He has that beautiful shot that he gets off even against bigger guys. He just plays the game the right way as a point guard. I thought Derek Harper played well for them in the ’90s, but Brunson is their best point guard in such a long time. He’s very tough. He gets off his shot all the time, he’s clutch. What’s not to like?"

Albert had complimentary superlatives for everyone in the Knicks' main rotation: he referred to the injured Julius Randle as "very tough," called head coach Tom Thibodeau "tough ... but kind," and foresees RJ Barrett as a future All-Star.

That group now faces the upstart Heat, who continue to ride the momentum of a five-game victory over the top-ranked Milwaukee Bucks primarily brought about by Jimmy Butler's postseason breakout. Albert, who was behind the mic for some of the postseason rivalry's most iconic and infamous moments, believes that each side's injuries (Randle missed Game 1 while South Beach sharpshooter Tyler Herro is done for the postseason) could play a major role in the final result, as will their physical defense.

"It’s one of these toss-up series, it should be a great series," he said. "It will be aggressive, there’s no question. I don’t think we’re gonna see astronomical high-scoring games."

Albert will be watching but don't expect him to make a surprise return to the announcers' table: the 81-year-old, who also previously called highly-anticipated NBA games on NBC and TNT before retiring after the 2021 postseason, is enjoying retirement and believes that his MSG Network successors Mike Breen and Walt "Clyde" Frazier have proven fully capable of following in his footsteps. 

"I miss it when I’m watching a great game, and during the playoffs," Albert said. "But, I think 55 years of doing NBA is a very long time, and I was fortunate to be able to do radio and TV, and always felt that the best play-by-play announcers did a great deal of radio before TV. 

"My wife Heather and I are I’m living a good life, put it that way."

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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