Many people have been impressed by the recent transformation of the New York Knicks.
The team still has a way to go before they are contending for a Finals win but they are getting much better.
A huge part of that evolution has to do with Jalen Brunson, who has easily adapted to the role of team leader in just one season.
Speaking to The Volume, NBA analyst Jason Timpf said that Brunson is better than another impressive guard.
“Jalen Brunson right now is flat out a better basketball player than Ja Morant,” Timpf said, according to NBACentral.
“Jalen Brunson right now is flat out a better basketball player than Ja Morant.”
(Via @TheVolumeSports ) pic.twitter.com/LZVsO4sGr4
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 21, 2023
When you look at the raw numbers, the two players are very similar and neck-and-neck.
Brunson averaged 24 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists on 49.1% from the floor last season.
As for Morant, he was good for 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists on 46.6%.
But there are other things that need to be looked at.
For example, leadership: Brunson has really embraced his position on the team.
He runs the ball, dictates tempo, and finds other guys to pass to.
Beyond that, he has fostered a strong working relationship with other stars on the team like Julius Randle and Josh Hart.
Can the same be said for Morant?
Obviously, Morant has been in a storm of controversy lately.
He will actually miss 25 games at the start of the season because of his latest gun-related incident.
That doesn’t feel like something a true team leader does.
While their numbers are similar, one could argue that Brunson does more for his team because of how he acts both on and off the court.
NEXT: James Dolan Makes An Admission About Being A Team Owner
