While some in the NBA community believe the Knicks need a “true superstar” to compete at the top of the Eastern Conference, Kevin Durant says the Knicks already have a potential future Hall of Famer on their roster.
Jalen Brunson went for a career-best 50 points — making 9-of-9 from beyond the arc along with 9 assists and 6 rebounds — in the Knicks’ 139-122 win over Durant and the Suns on Friday night in Phoenix.
“Great scorer, he’s got the confidence,” Durant said of Brunson. “That’s his franchise, so they’re all there to support him and put him in the best position that he can to be [successful].
“Hall of Fame player by the end of his career the way he’s playing up there, so if he keeps this he’s on a great pace to do that. But they all support him. They put in sets for him, they run plays for him, when he gets hot they continue to give him the ball. So tonight was one of those nights for him.”
Julius Randle made sure to get Brunson the game ball by holding it high over his head before giving it to his teammate. Randle was likely having some fun with the fact that the Indiana Pacers stole the game ball from Giannis Antetokounmpo after Giannis poured in a Milwaukee Bucks-record 64 points in Wednesday’s win over the Pacers.
Brunson down-played his accomplishment and said he was motivated after the team lost at Utah 117-113 two nights earlier.
“When I know I don’t play my best and I’m turning the ball over, that’s what pisses me off the most,” he told MSG’s Mike Breen and Alan Hahn
“I had to re-focus up and I guess I did that tonight.”
He added: “I was just playing…It’s a credit to my teammates….The ball went in tonight.”
Brunson’s latest performance comes about a week after former NBA guard Kenny Smith said the Knicks’ lack a legitimate superstar and that fact will keep them in the middle of the Eastern Conference.
“This is why the Knicks are gonna stay in the middle,” Smith said on TNT. “Every game that…
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