The New York Knicks have been on the rise in recent seasons, and have recently played the Eastern Conference Finals.
The New York Knicks’ changing trajectory was recently highlighted by reports that the franchise is ready to turn down Kevin Durant.
Recently fired head coach Tom Thibodeau was a pivotal figure in the Knicks’ revival, but he also had a major contribution from his players.
The Knicks were nothing but Jalen Brunson, who pushed hard to get the Knicks to sign in free agency in 2022 after clearing enough cap space to offer a four-year, $104 million contract.
Branson did not disappoint the Knicks and grew into one of the NBA’s best players, reaching an unprepared level with the Dallas Mavericks.
One veteran NBA head coach explained that he didn’t expect Jalen Brunson to develop into his player.
Speaking to the Bill Simmons podcast, Doc Rivers nominated Brunson as the NBA player who surprised him the most in the past two years.
Rivers, a Milwaukee Bucks coach and formerly the Philadelphia 76ers and La Clippers coach, paid tribute to Branson.
He said:
“But when we played them, I think it was home last year, and I’m holy oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
The Milwaukee Bucks head coach is full of praise for Jaren Branson, but he is worried about how long he can keep playing at the top level in the NBA.
Rivers said:
“You’re worried about his health because you know how he plays, and what he means, he’s pretty much going to run basketball, you know.
“It’s all physical, but man, he’s far better than I thought.”
Rivers admits that Branson has already proven him wrong in his career, and he won’t be surprised if it continues.
Branson’s rise has been a big topic of conversation in the NBA over the past three seasons, with the Dallas Mavericks criticising him for leaving the door.
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison records his description of his exit as a “strike,” but clearly didn’t realize how good Branson would be.
