Kendrick Perkins has stirred up debate by ranking Jalen Brunson ahead of Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic in his top five point guards in the NBA.
During NBA Today, Perkins unveiled his list, placing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at No. 1, followed by Brunson at No. 2, Curry at No. 3, Doncic at No. 4, and Cade Cunningham rounding out the list at No. 5. His rankings have sparked discussion, particularly because of Brunson’s placement above two generational talents in Curry and Doncic.
“Cade Cunningham. Y’all seen the Detroit Pistons lately? Have you seen this man right here lately? You talk about doing his thing at the point guard position. First-time All-Star, playing at an All-NBA level, has the Detroit Pistons back in the thick of things.”
“They are in the postseason right now in the Eastern Conference. This man is flat-out special, flat-out a stud. It’s everything that a franchise should want in a player.”
“Luka Doncic. And I know his numbers are not eye-popping. He’s been dealing with injuries, but damn it, he looked good over the last week with the Los Angeles Lakers. And we know Luka, standing there at 6’7″, can do it all. 260—I’m gonna give him 260.”
“He might be 285, but damn it, he put in that work. You see the chemistry with LeBron James right now and the effect. He has Jaxson Hayes looking like one of the best centers or lob threats in the game. That’s what you call greatness.”
“The light-skinned brother with the green eyes, Steph Curry. The guy is back. He has a bona fide number two in Jimmy Butler. And now, guess what? What is he averaging right now? Close to 30 over the last nine or ten games? Doing his thing. Guess what?”
“The Golden State Warriors are back in the thick of things again, led by Steph Curry, with the help of Draymond Green, with the help of Jimmy Butler. I got Steph Curry at number 3.”
“Big Body Brunson. All-NBA level play. MVP play. Right now, this man is balling. Call him Mr. Fourth Quarter because he comes up big for the New York Knicks. And guess what?”
“Yes, he’s going to go out there and get you 26 points per game, but he’s also having a career year in assists, meaning he’s making people around him better. Karl-Anthony Towns comes over, he fits right in because of this man right here.”
“Going down to Oklahoma City. SGA. The best perimeter player in the NBA. He does it all. He’s not only leading the league in scoring, he’s second in the league in steals. His team has the number one defense, the best record in the Western Conference.”
“This man is cooking. And guess what? He’s about to join the company of Michael Jeffrey Jordan, right? Averaging 30, shooting over 50% from the field for the third time in his career. Michael Jordan did it five.”
“This is my list.”
Perkins defended his decision by highlighting Brunson’s remarkable season, calling him Mr. Fourth Quarter and praising his ability to elevate his team. The Knicks guard has been playing at an MVP-caliber level, averaging 26.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game while shooting an efficient 49.0% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range.
Under his leadership, New York has climbed to third in the Eastern Conference with a 40-21 record, making them one of the biggest threats in the East. Brunson has seamlessly integrated Karl-Anthony Towns into the lineup while continuing to deliver in crunch time, solidifying his status as one of the league’s best floor generals.
Despite Brunson’s stellar play, placing him ahead of Curry and Doncic is a bold move. Curry, a two-time MVP and the greatest shooter in NBA history has revitalized the Warriors following the addition of Jimmy Butler.
The Warriors have surged to sixth in the West with a 34-28 record, and Curry has been instrumental in that turnaround, averaging 24.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists while shooting 44.7% from the field and 39.8% from three-point range. His ability to lead Golden State back into playoff contention suggests he remains an elite point guard, even in his 15th season.
Luka Doncic, meanwhile, continues to be one of the most dominant all-around players in the league. His 26.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game may not be as eye-popping as in past seasons, but he has successfully adapted to his midseason move to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite a blockbuster trade that sent him from Dallas to L.A., Doncic and the Lakers have found their rhythm, now holding the second seed in the Western Conference with a 39-21 record. His chemistry with LeBron James has been a key storyline, and even Perkins acknowledged Luka’s brilliance by joking about his weight.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander topping the list is far less controversial, as he has been the best player on the NBA’s best team. Averaging 32.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists while shooting an absurd 52.6% from the field and 37.8% from deep, SGA has led Oklahoma City to the best record in the West at 50-11.
His elite two-way play has made him the frontrunner for MVP, and his ability to score efficiently while being one of the best defenders in the league justifies his No. 1 spot.
The most surprising name on Perkins’ list is Cade Cunningham at No. 5. While the young star has had a breakout season, leading the Detroit Pistons to a shocking turnaround from a 30-game losing streak to the 6th seed in the East (35-28), his placement over other established stars raises eyebrows.
Cunningham is averaging 25.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.4 assists while shooting 46.1% from the field and 35.7% from deep. Given where Detroit was just a year ago, his impact has been undeniable.
While Perkins’ rankings are subjective, there’s no denying that Brunson has cemented himself as an elite point guard. Whether he belongs ahead of Curry and Doncic is debatable, but his consistent clutch performances and ability to lead the Knicks make him a worthy inclusion. The only question now is whether he can carry them deep into the playoffs and prove Perkins right.
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