Jay Williams framed Jalen Brunson as something rare in the modern NBA: a superstar who seems to answer every complaint fans make about the league.
Too much money? Brunson took less on his extension to help the Knicks keep building. Too much tanking? New York did not bottom out for him; it built a serious team around culture, toughness and smart roster moves. Too much load management? Brunson just hurt his knee and ankle in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, came back, and closed the Spurs out anyway.
That was Williams’ point. Brunson has become the “antithesis” of the league’s most common criticisms because his rise feels earned, stubborn and deeply traditional. He is not the tallest, fastest or loudest star. He is not built like a basketball alien. He is listed around 6-foot-2, wins with footwork, patience, balance and nerve, and somehow keeps turning the biggest moments into his own personal office.
Jay Willams says Jalen Brunson is the antithesis of what fanbases think about the NBA right now:
“He’s the antithesis. Well, guys are overpaid, he’s not overpaid. You think about other things teams are tanking, they didn’t tank they built it the right way, they built the right… pic.twitter.com/eDdZaSIPXu
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) June 4, 2026
Game 1 made the argument louder. The Knicks beat the Spurs 105-95 in San Antonio, taking a 1-0 Finals lead after trailing by 14 in the second half. Brunson finished with 30 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, despite leaving earlier with injury scares. New York closed the game on an 11-0 run and stretched its playoff winning streak to 12 games.
How do you root against this guy?
Brunson is not just New York’s best player. He is the emotional proof of what the Knicks have become. No shortcuts. No excuses. No disappearing when the game turns cruel. Just a guard who gets knocked down, comes back in, slows the building down and makes the right play until the other team breaks.
In the modern NBA, that’s often accused of being too managed, too transactional and too detached from the average fan, Brunson feels like a throwback. He plays hurt. He plays small and wins big. He makes teammates better without making the story only about himself.
