“Just Good Enough To Lose With”: Draymond Green Predicts Jalen Brunson Will ‘Fail’ To Lead Knicks Into NBA Finals

The No. 2 seeded New York Knicks have made quite a lot of noise this season. A big reason for that is, unquestionably, the leadership of Jalen Brunson. Going up against Joel Embiid and the 76ers in the first round, they pulled off an emphatic 4-2 series victory. Now, they are facing off an equally strong foe in the Pacers. And veteran Draymond Green was again on the horizon with a prediction for the “hard-nosed” Knicks.

In connection to the Pacers, add the historic rivalry between the two and it has been one of the most eagerly awaited matchups. Unfortunately for Indiana, New York is already leading 2-0. But the games are in no way lacking any drama. Joining Green on The Draymond Green Show was none other Knicks superfan, Jason Calacanis. Dray did not beat around the bush, asserting, “I think the Knicks are a fun team to watch. I think they’re hard-nosed. I think they got guys that compete, but I don’t think they quite have enough to get over the finish line.”

To explain his take on the Knicks’ future, he used a term that coaches introduced to him. It’s apparently used frequently in coaching – “Just good enough to lose with.” 

While this might not sit well with many Knicks faithful- they will likely throw in stats and other examples to validate their arguments – the 4x champion said earlier that he wasn’t a hater. All he did was state facts he believed to be true. Or what he thinks will happen. On that note, this wasn’t the first time he made his doubts about Jalen Brunson public. Nor does it look like it to be the last.

Jalen Brunson seems to be proving Draymond wrong at every turn

When the Knicks were 3-1 versus the 76ers, Green predicted they wouldn’t make it past the first round. “Because who is going to stop Joel (Embiid)?” he had said. Well then, every individual knows what happened. However, as they advanced, Dray was back once again to give his take on the first-time All-Star.

This time, the 2017 DPOY believed they would even be successful in clearing the Pacers. But the road ahead will be quite difficult. “I said you can’t get to the promised land. And quite frankly, if I’m being honest. I still don’t think you can.” He had a sole reason for saying that.

“A ball-dominant Jalen Brunson ain’t gonna get you to the promised land.” In all honesty, Brunson does have the ball in his hands far longer.

The 27-year-old guard had averaged 43.8 minutes in the first round of the playoffs. And Jalen had the ball in his hands for 11.1 minutes pg. That is top, considering Luka Doncic had the ball for 9.3 minutes per game. Aside from these two, only three others (Maxey, Edwards, and Harden) have had the ball for more than 7 minutes on average.

Whether that is enough reason for Draymond Green to have such a strong prediction about the Knicks is, well, open to discussion. Do let us know what your thoughts are about Dray and his take on Jalen Brunson and Co.