Blood, Sweat & Tears: Jalen Brunson Isn’t the Savior but Embraces Pivotal Role for the Knicks at NBA All-Star Game

Jalen Brunson is ready to shine in his first NBA All-Star Game. The 27-year-old point guard has turned the New York Knicks franchise around since he signed with them two years ago. Brunson got his career’s first All-Star nod this season as an Eastern Conference Reserve because of his incredible performance. He averaged 27.6 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds until the All-Star break to bag the honor.

Despite playing a pivotal role in the Knicks’ success, Brunson refused to call himself a savior. “I am not a savior in any way, shape or form. I just want to be able to contribute to the team”, he said in a recent interview. The Knicks superstar sat down with TNT’s Taylor Rooks ahead of tonight’s All-Star Game and revealed his thoughts about breathing new life into New York City. While Brunson was uncomfortable calling himself the savior, he embraced a pivotal role for the Knicks franchise. “I would say a leader to an extent,” Brunson claimed he has accepted his new role as the Knicks leader and does not take it lightly.

Brunson revealed that his responsibility with the Knicks is to keep the players locked in and on the same page. He wants to achieve great things with the franchise and turn Madison Square Garden into the Mecca of basketball again. While Brunson has accepted his leadership role, the Knicks fanbase has also embraced Brunson as their franchise player. After Brunson dropped 40 points, the same night he was named an All-Star, the fans at MSG appreciated their superstar with MVP chants. The fans’ love left Brunson speechless and he could not hold back his tears. Brunson revealed that his tears represented “years of hard work.”

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Jalen Brunson takes inspiration from his father

During the interview, Rooks asked Brunson if he would have believed he would be an All-Star in the future when he was the 6th Man in Dallas. Brunson responded, “Maybe Yeah.” The first-time All-Star revealed that he takes inspiration from his father, who always believed he could achieve great things. Jalen’s father, Rick Brunson, was also an NBA player and played in the league from 1997 to 2006. Just like his son, Rick also played for the New York Knicks. He played for his hometown team for three seasons.

Brunson revealed that his father recently told him, “He wishes he could be me.” Apart from Brunson being a much better player than his father, he also has a very genuine and authentic personality. And that is what Brunson believes his father wished to emulate. Jalen Brunson is on a mission to make the Knicks great again, and he hopes to continue his dominant form after his first All-Star Game appearance.

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