The New York Knicks had dropped the ball in free agency way too often.
So, given his ties to the organization, the fact that he had been mostly a sub during his career, and how much of a huge contract they gave him, people were quite skeptical of Jalen Brunson’s signing.
But the Villanova product has sure done more than enough to prove the doubters wrong, living up to that contract since day one and becoming the playmaker the Knicks had been craving for years.
Brunson has balled out since day one.
He’s played with a chip on his shoulder, knowing that he had plenty of mouths to shut.
He’s averaging 22.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.8 three-pointers per game on 46/39/85 shooting splits, with plenty of people predicting he’d make the All-Star Game as a reserve.
That includes Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, who was quite shocked at the fact that he didn’t make the team and claimed that no other snub — such as James Harden, Pascal Siakam, or De’Aaron Fox — deserved it more than him:
“I am kinda shocked Jalen Brunson didn’t make it. This is one of the best free agent signings in a long time, I am not saying take anybody off, but I am saying Jalen Brunson deserved to make this team,” Barkley said. “None of those other (snubs) should make it onto the team before Jalen Brunson.”
Chuck: “I’m kind of shocked Jalen Brunson didn’t make it.”
The Inside crew discusses the biggest #NBAAllStar snubs. pic.twitter.com/7lLCmtb2OX
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 3, 2023
Truth be told, it’s always hard to take someone out of the team, regardless of how much another player might deserve it or not.
That’s why making the All-Star Game is so difficult, as there’s a limited number of spots in a league that features more talent by the year.
Hopefully, this will motivate Brunson to keep his foot on the gas and be even better in the second half of the season.
He still has some mouths to shut.
NEXT: Jalen Brunson Started The Year Off Right
