“Man, I wish was you.” That’s how proud former NBA journeyman Rick Brunson is of his son, Jalen Brunson. And why wouldn’t he be? His son, the same little kid who spent every bit of available time running around the NBA hardwood, is now one of the more prominent names of the biggest hoops league and a hero in NYC.

It was a career that the Knicks‘ assistant coach dreamed about during his playing days. But while the father never really saw his dream unfold, Brunson Jr. is surely doing it all, and it almost looks like he is playing for both himself and his dad’s career!

Even if that were the case, it wouldn’t be a surprise because one of the more vivid memories Jalen has of his father is a painful one. “The one memory that sticks out, it sucks, but it’s when my dad got cut when he was in Philly. And then he told me he was retiring,” Brunson said in his appearance at Mark Jackson’s Come and Talk 2 Me podcast.

“That’s the one that sticks out the most because he was always not on the East Coast. He was always on a different team outside of the region. And then he finally was back in Philly and we were living in South Jersey and then I thought that was going to be like the year I can go to every game. I was like 10 years old where I can actually start to remember stuff. [So] that moment sticks out the most, unfortunately.” 

Having gone undrafted in 1995 naturally meant he had to put in everything extra- hours, work, and more to get a place in the league. In his 11-year career, the Temple alum went through 17 different teams, both international and domestic. His first proper NBA assignment, though, was in 1997 in Portland. But none really stuck. And top it off, he was cut 8 times in his pro basketball career.

No doubt the Philly incident was one among those.

Rick pointed out the one aspect that makes Jalen Brunson different from him

“We had the same passion, the same grit, the same work ethic. We just didn’t have the same talent,” Rick said as a matter-of-fact in a chat with Andscape’s William C. Rhoden in May this year. What exactly did he mean by that, though? Well, for one, while the younger Brunson was always calm and in control, the elder Brunson was a nervous wreck. However, it wasn’t just the nerves kicking in before a big game. There was something else at play here.

“I was playing to feed two kids, and Jalen’s playing, it’s just him and his wife right now,” he had said. In short, Rick Brunson’s focus was on providing for his family more than enjoying the game.

Then again, when you are playing without any guarantee for the next day or the next season, it is understandable; we suppose. Add in the factor of not spending enough time with his kids even after working so hard, and Rick Brunson decided that enough was enough.

But of course, his inherent love for the sport would always call him back to the court. And when he saw his son taking an active interest in basketball, Rick made sure Jalen wouldn’t make the same mistakes as himself. During a 2016 chat with Rhoden and Brunson, the latter stressed the importance of not wanting to see his son live a nomadic NBA life.

“He does have the mental tenacity to do what I did, but as a father I don’t want him to make the mistakes that I made.” Naturally! Even so, the two have agreed on drawing a line between being a father and a coach. Although…there are instances when Rick’s character does slip.

Despite the “95% coach and 5% parent” rule, Rick finds himself turning into a Dad thanks to Jalen’s on-court activities

Now, we have got two instances where Rick Brunson turned the Dad mode on. And the first one was hilarious, as it was necessary. It was during Jalen’s Dallas days. He was playing particularly terribly that game and all the young gun did was apparently complain.

“I as a dad, I got tired. I said, ‘Man, will you shut the f**k up and go in the locker room?’ He looked at me, he said, ‘That’s what we’re doing?’ And I said, ‘Yes, that’s what the f**k we’re doing.’ And when I say that, that means that’s enough. And he said, ‘OK.’ He knows I’m serious.”

The next instance was an emotional, wholesome moment. And it’s closer home, literally and figuratively. The Knicks had just beaten the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 after a hard-fought battle in the playoffs. Forgetting he was the coach for a second, Rick went up to Jalen Brunson and hugged him.

“To beat Philly in Philly, I just went up to him and gave him a big hug. I usually don’t do that. But that was a dad moment. That was like, this is my son. That was great,” Rick said.

The two might be die-hard Eagle fans and the former 6’4 point guard might be telling the truth. But it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to assume that Jalen Brunson received quite a bit of a satisfaction beating the Sixers.

Feel that you can do with another update from the sport of basketball? Then do check out this recent interview with the up-and-coming Georgia Lady Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.