Halfway through the NBA regular season, the verdict is in on New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson: He’s worth every penny of his four-year, $104 million deal.
Before becoming a Knick, the 6-foot-2 floor general was a sidekick to Luka Doncic for four years in Dallas. For the Mavericks, he averaged 11.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds — serviceable but unspectacular numbers.
In the playoffs, Brunson served notice that he could be special. In Dallas’ run that culminated in the Western Conference finals, he averaged 21.5 points in 18 games.
Despite his improved game, NBA media trashed last summer’s signing of Brunson by the Knicks.
Sports Illustrated’s Michael Pina graded it a “C,” dubbing Brunson as a “a 25-year-old who probably won’t ever make an All-Star team.”
ESPN carnival barker Stephen A. Smith also ripped the deal.
