Being a sportsman in New York isn’t easy. From being the biggest market to the most successful sporting city, Gotham is not an easy nut to crack. The media is always hounding you and mistakes are right around the corner. Perhaps, that’s why, Derek Jeter is considered to be the epitome of professionalism. He along with Aaron Judge has personified what a captain should be. So, is it any surprise that the two have decided to show their love and support for New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson during his special day?

Brunson had already sacrificed a bigger payday to remain in New York. However, little did people know there was something else brewing within the organization. Brunson was to be more than an iconic player. He was to be a captain and join the elite group of captains across different sports. As a result, the Knicks posted an interesting video where all the great Big Apple captains gave strong wishes to their latest colleagues.

“Congratulations on being named captain of the New York Knicks, man,” Derek Jeter said to Jalen Brunson, adding, “I’ve enjoyed watching you continue to develop (and) get better year after year. I look forward to that continuing but also watching you lead the Knicks back to where they belong. So congrats again, always pulling for you.” Jeter’s arguably the greatest captain in New York’s modern sporting history. So to hear these words from him must mean the world to Brunson. However, Captain Clutch wasn’t alone with his wishes.

The current New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge too had a small message for Brunson. “Congratulations of being named captain of the Knicks! Incredible accomplishment, my man,” Aaron Judge said, adding, “Just the way you play the game, your heart and hustle, your git day in and day out. That’s the reason why you’re the captain and you represent the city.” While All-Rise might not be as decorated as Jeter, his captaincy, too, is highly impressive. If anything, he’s been called as being even better than Jeter as a leader. As for Brunson, Jeter’s inspiration runs through him.

How Derek Jeter’s bold step inspired Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson signed a $156.5 million deal with the New York Knicks. That was almost $113 million lower than what he would’ve signed had he waited to sign a deal in 2025. However, his loyalty and love for the Knicks didn’t allow Brunson to go anywhere else. But more than that, it was the likes of Derek Jeter whose previous steps inspired Brunson to take this massive pay cut. 

Derek Jeter had taken a pay cut during the late 2000s to help the Yankees maintain its payroll (per ESPN). That was a sign of a captain putting his team’s interest over his own and that may have inspired Jalen Brunson too. Due to this deal, the Knicks stayed below the second-apron level in the salary cap. That not only saves them from facing limitations in trades but also helps them in continuing to be competitive. This is a huge thing for a team that has been looking for a ring for a long time.

However, the inspiration doesn’t end there. When Jalen Brunson joined the Knicks his father was quick to remind him of something important – the pressure of playing in New York. But instead of just speaking to him, Rick Brunson decided to show his son a documentary of Derek Jeter, “The Captain”  to make Brunson better understand the stakes of playing in New York. The documentary certainly worked as Bronson turned into the epitome of professionalism.

So can Jalen Brunson lead the Knicks back to glory? That is a big question. But with a 4-year deal in place, he has a lot of time to realize the ultimate New York dream – a championship ring.