Jalen Brunson is one of the breakout stars from the 2023-24 season. He has emerged as a genuine star in the Eastern Conference. His performances have helped the New York Knicks secure a spot in the second round of the playoffs, where they will face the Indiana Pacers.
Despite Brunson’s elite level of play and the Knicks’ impressive defense, Draymond Green still doesn’t believe they are true contenders this season.
“I don’t hate the Knicks,” Green said. “However, I am honest, and I’m not delusional. And a ball-dominant Jalen Brunson ain’t going to get you to the promised land, I said. I didn’t say you weren’t gonna win the first-round series. I didn’t even say you weren’t going to win the second-round series. Because, if I’m honest, I think you should easily win the second-round series. I didn’t say that. I said you can’t get to the promised land. Quite frankly, if I’m honest, I still don’t think you can.”
In his six postseason games so far, Brunson is averaging 35.5 points, 9.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds on 42.9% shooting from the field and 30.4% shooting from three-point range. Without Julius Randle in the rotation, Brunson is carrying a significant workload. He’s ball-dominant out of necessity.
Still, Tom Thibodeau has his team playing elite basketball. They’re a team built on sound defensive principles. OG Anunoby has taken that defense to a whole new level. Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo are both impressive on the offensive end.
Green has a point, though. If New York makes it past the Pacers, it could face the Boston Celtics in the conference finals. Boston is the best team in basketball, according to its record, offensive rating, defensive rating and net rating. It has an elite top-six rotation. If Kristaps Porzingis is back from injury, the Knicks will struggle to extend the series to six games.
Randle’s absence will eventually catch up to the Knicks. Brunson’s wizardry won’t be enough against Boston. Even if they do shock the world and make it to the NBA Finals, the Nuggets, Thunder, Timberwolves or Mavericks would likely make light work of Thibodeau’s team.
The Knicks aren’t far from being genuine contenders. Unfortunately, this playoff run is a step too soon.
