Draymond Green remains skeptical of Jalen Brunson’s ability to lead the Knicks to an NBA championship.
Draymond Green defended his statement that Jalen Brunson is not capable of leading the Knicks to the ‘Promised Land’ and winning an NBA title.
“I’m not a Knicks hater; I’m simply honest. Many Knicks supporters are delusional and crazy. We understand Knicks fans are nuts… I don’t detest the Knicks. I’m honest and not delusional. “A ball-dominant Jalen Brunson won’t get you to the Promised Land.”
Green clarified that he did not imply the Knicks could not be successful enough to reach the Conference Finals, but he does not believe they can advance beyond that.
“I didn’t say you wouldn’t win the first round series. I didn’t even mention a second-round series since, to be honest, your team should easily win the second round. I claimed you couldn’t get to the Promised Land, and to be honest, I still don’t believe you can.
Green commended Brunson and expressed his admiration for the Knicks’ point guard.
“I already respected Jalen Brunson. He’s earning more and more. The guy gets done every night, has had a few terrible games, and has bounced back. That is what I want to see. When you’re an up-and-coming player, taking the next step in your career, and you make it to the playoffs, I want to see how you rebound from a terrible game.”
This season, Brunson led the Knicks to the No. 2 seed in the East despite injuries to co-stars Julius Randle and OG Anunoby. He averaged 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists.
In the playoffs, he is averaging 35.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists. He is the team’s superstar as they aim to beat the Indiana Pacers and go to the Conference Finals for the first time since 1999.
Can the Knicks win a championship with Jalen Brunson?
If the Knicks fail to win an NBA championship this season, it will be the responsibility of everyone except Jalen Brunson. Even the most optimistic Brunson fans expected him to reach the All-Star level and eventually become an All-NBA guard, but no one expected him to perform at the MVP level in only his second year with the Knicks.
Brunson has raised Knicks supporters’ hopes with each performance, but the squad isn’t equipped to win this season. The injury to Julius Randle casts a gloomy cloud over the club, since we still don’t know what their peak may be with all their studs healthy.
Despite without Giannis Antetokounmpo for six games, the Knicks’ current form suggests they can still compete with the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks have a strong chance of winning if Brunson outperforms Tyrese Haliburton. Former title-winning teammates OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam are expected to guard one other.
Beating the Celtics this season, or any of the four remaining Western Conference clubs, may be too difficult. Nonetheless, the Knicks have the assets to add to this squad, which may lead to Brunson being named Finals MVP on a championship-winning Knicks team, if they make the correct moves.
As players, we’ve seen that size and play-style considerations are clearly irrelevant. He is playing winning basketball, and New York is celebrating as a result.
