Draymond Green defended his statements about Jalen Brunson not being the kind of player that can take the Knicks to the ‘Promised Land’, which is winning an NBA title.
“I’m not a Knicks hater, I’m just honest. A lot of Knicks fans are delusional and they’re nuts. We know Knicks fans are nuts… I don’t hate the Knicks. I’m honest, and I am not delusional. A ball-dominant Jalen Brunson ain’t going to get you to the Promised Land.”
Green emphasized that he didn’t say that the Knicks can’t be successful enough to make the Conference Finals but maintained he doesn’t think they can progress beyond that.
“I didn’t say you weren’t gonna win a 1st round series. I didn’t even say that about a second-round series because if I’m honest, you guys should easily win the 2nd round. I said you can’t get to the Promised Land, and quite frankly, if I’m honest, I still don’t think you can.”
Green praised Brunson and revealed his respect for the Knicks point guard.
“Jalen Brunson already had respect from me. He’s earning more and more. The guy is getting done every single night, had a couple of bad games, and bounced back. That’s what I want to see. When you’re an up-and-coming guy, you’re taking the next step in your career and you get into the playoffs, I wanna see how you bounce back from a bad game.”
“I quite frankly don't hate the Knicks…A lot of Knicks fans are delusional…I know they need something to rally around…rally around the Draymond Green Show…I’m honest & not delusional and a ball-dominant Jalen Brunson ain't going to get you to the Promised Land. I didn't say… pic.twitter.com/3MAElRMdQC
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 4, 2024
Brunson averaged 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists this season, leading the Knicks to the No. 2 seed in the East despite major injuries to co-stars such as Julius Randle and OG Anunoby.
He’s averaging 35.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists in the Playoffs so far, taking on the mantle of being the team’s superstar as they look to beat the Indiana Pacers and make it to their first Conference Finals since 1999.
Can The Knicks Win A Title With Jalen Brunson?
If the Knicks fail to win an NBA title this season, it’ll be everyone’s fault but Jalen Brunson. Even the most optimistic Brunson fans thought he’d likely reach All-Star level and could become an All-NBA caliber guard, but nobody expected him to play at an MVP level in just his second year on the Knicks.
Brunson has been raising the hopes of Knicks fans with every performance, but the team is not built to win this season. The injury to Julius Randle casts a dark cloud over the team as we still don’t know what they could be at their peak with all their stars healthy.
The Knicks in their present form should still be able to push the Indiana Pacers after the Bucks took them to six games without Giannis Antetokounmpo playing a single game. If Brunson can outplay Tyrese Haliburton, the Knicks will stand a great chance at winning with former title-winning teammates OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam likely guarding each other as well.
Beating the Celtics this season might be a bridge too far, or beating any of the four remaining teams in the Western Conference. Nonetheless, the Knicks have the assets to add to this roster which likely could lead to Brunson being named Finals MVP on a title-winning Knicks team, provided they make the right moves.
As a player, we’ve seen the size and play-style concerns clearly don’t matter. He’s playing winning basketball and New York is celebrating as a result.
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