Jalen Brunson of the Knicks responded to ‘1A’ critics in a trading card.

Jalen Brunson’s Silent Response to Critics

Jalen Brunson might not choose to engage verbally with critics, but he isn’t shy about expressing himself through his accomplishments.

The captain of the Knicks, who just helped New York secure its first championship in 53 years, brushed off doubters who questioned whether his 6-foot-2 stature could hinder his leadership in winning a title.

“I didn’t react to them back then, and I’m not going to react to them now,” Brunson stated shortly after the Knicks’ impressive Game 5 win in the NBA Finals on Saturday.

Interestingly, a newly released trading card featuring the star player has his signature along with the label “1A.” This reflects skepticism from some around the league regarding his potential as the top player on a championship-caliber team.

As the 2023-24 season approaches, this one-of-a-kind card is part of Panini’s National Treasures series, highlighting “notable nicknames” of players.

Brunson’s card signing event coincided with WNBA legend Becky Hammon, who has challenged the idea that Brunson can be considered a “1A” star.

“They’re well-coached and they play tough defense, but in the end, they lack elite players,” Hammon remarked during an appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Today” in December 2023.

“You definitely need 1A players. If you take it seriously, they just don’t have that,” she added.

Hammon’s comments have certainly sparked debate, and she wasn’t alone in her skepticism. Warriors star Draymond Green and sports commentator Colin Cowherd have also raised questions about Brunson’s championship credentials.

Yet, opinions have shifted following this year’s playoffs. Brunson put on a spectacular performance, scoring 45 points in Game 5, which earned him Finals MVP honors and his first NBA championship.

The value of Brunson’s unique “1A” card could escalate significantly based on sales trends of similar autographed cards. On just Tuesday, two autographed cards by Brunson appeared on eBay, with one, a 2024 Panini card paired with part of his game-worn jersey, fetching an impressive $18,600.