ESPN Reporter Pushes Back on the Most Confusing Jalen Brunson Criticism
Despite everything Jalen Brunson has accomplished with the New York Knicks, doubts about his ability to lead a championship team continue to linger in some corners of the NBA world. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon has clearly had enough of that narrative.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Hoops Collective Podcast, MacMahon addressed the recurring question of whether a smaller, ball-dominant guard like Brunson can truly be the top option on a title contender. While he acknowledged the topic comes up often, he made it clear that the evidence strongly favors Brunson.
“The Knicks became relevant again when they signed Jalen Brunson,” MacMahon said. “You can doubt all you want, but he is a ball-dominant guard who has consistently shown up in the playoffs. He is a winner going back to Villanova. I will take my chances with that guy.”
Jalen Brunson’s Winning Pedigree Is Impossible to Ignore
Brunson’s résumé as a winner did not start in New York. At Villanova, he served as the starting point guard for two NCAA championship teams in a three year span, establishing himself early as a steady leader in high-pressure environments.
After entering the NBA as a second-round pick in 2018, Brunson steadily climbed the ladder in Dallas. He became a core rotation player for a 52-win Mavericks team that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2022, earning a reputation as a reliable postseason performer.
That reputation has only grown since his arrival in New York.
Knicks Success Has Followed Brunson Everywhere
Since Brunson joined the Knicks in the summer of 2022, the franchise has not exited the playoffs before the second round. Last season, he led New York to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, further cementing his impact on winning basketball.
Now in his fourth season with the team, Brunson has the Knicks sitting at 18-7, holding the second seed in the Eastern Conference, and carrying the third-best championship odds in the league. Following a dominant 132-120 win over the Orlando Magic, New York also punched its ticket to the 2025 NBA Cup championship, where it will face the San Antonio Spurs.
The contrast before and after Brunson is striking. In the four seasons prior to his signing, the Knicks went 116-186 and made the playoffs just once. Since he arrived, they are 166-105 and have not missed the postseason.
The Criticism No Longer Holds Weight
At this point, questioning whether Brunson contributes to winning says more about the observer than the player. His track record spans college dominance, playoff success in Dallas, and sustained winning in New York.
The results are consistent, the leadership is undeniable, and the Knicks continue to rise with Brunson at the helm. The idea that he cannot lead a contender simply does not match reality.
