A few days ago, someone asked Jalen Brunson if he was worried about being out of rhythm after missing the Knicks’ final three regular season games.
“No. I work too hard not to be confident in myself,” the point guard said.
Brunson didn’t say it with arrogance. He said as if stating a fact. The sky is blue. Jalen Brunson is self-confident.
His confidence seemed to be contagious this season. Brunson’s steadying presence helped New York weather a rocky start and finish with 47 wins.
That same calm confidence helped the Knicks walk off the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse with a Game 1 win over the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Saturday night.
Brunson had nine of his 27 points in the final six minutes. He had two key field goals in the final 1:15. Those shots helped the Knicks win Game 1 on the road for the first time in 24 years.
And they were more evidence to support the idea that Brunson is the Knicks’ best free agent signee of the past 24 years.
Brunson would never give himself that title. He’s humble, self-aware and deferential when he talks about his own play.
“It wasn’t just me – it was a credit to everyone – building, sacrificing and just wanting to win,” he said earlier this week. “We were able to get to a decent place in seeding. We have a long way to go for us to get to where we want to go.”
Thanks to Brunson, it feels like the Knicks are finally headed in the right direction.