Ex NBA player Charles Barkley is known for his analysis and funny takes on “Inside the NBA.” He, alongside host Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith, form a panel that livens up NBA coverage on TV. Today, Chuck (as Barkley is fondly known) asked Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson about whether he has surpassed his father Rick Brunson.
Jalen said, “My dad wasn’t even a player compared to me.” Everyone in the panel burst out laughing. Ernie Johnson thought Jalen will take offense to this question, to which Jalen jokingly replied, “That’s offensive.” It was another hilarious Chuck moment on the show.
"My dad wasn't even a player compared to me!"@jalenbrunson1 after Chuck compared him to his dad 🤣 pic.twitter.com/GJ1mbjE05r
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 25, 2022
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Brunson has turned out to be a good investment for the Mavericks. If Luka Doncic is Mavericks’ superstar player, Brunson is a very able second in command. So able that now teams are lining up with new contracts for him as he is approaching free agency.
Teams like the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers will both have enough salary-cap space during the offseason and are known to have an interest in the Dallas guard. The New York Knicks are also interested but need some financial maneuvering to fit him in.
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Brunson is apparently commanding $80 million over four years, which is money few teams can afford. The Mavs can resign him using his Bird rights. There has been recent confidence in the Dallas camp that this will indeed happen.
Why did Charles Barkley compare Jalen Brunson to his father?
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Why did Charles Barkley mention his father? Rick Brunson was mostly a bench player and a journeyman in the NBA. He also was the assistant coach, after his retirement, of teams such as the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves and is now the coach of the Camden HS basketball school team.
Jalen Brunson, unlike his father, has stayed with the Dallas Mavericks. Despite Luka’s absence sometimes, he has taken Dallas on his back. He has already scored almost 23 points per game in the postseason and performed well against the Utah Jazz (41 point Game 2), Phoenix Suns (28 point Game 3), and the Golden State Warriors (31 point Game 2). He and Luka Doncic have emerged as the two best players for the Mavericks. Hence, it has become very crucial for them to stay there.
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Is Charles Barkley right about Brunson? What do you think? Write in the comments down below.