Rick Brunson’s Thoughts on His Son Jalen’s Legacy

Rick Brunson has a significant journey ahead before he might consider his son, Jalen, as the best Knick.

Following the Knicks’ victory in Game 5 of the Finals, marking their first championship since 1973, Rick made waves by expressing his belief that Jalen isn’t the greatest Knick yet. Jalen delivered an impressive performance in the Finals, scoring 45 points in a crucial game.

“I love my son,” Rick mentioned on ESPN soon after the game concluded. “But Patrick Ewing is, in my eyes, the best Knick I’ve ever seen.”

Rick elaborated on his perspective, suggesting that many fans are jumping the gun in comparing Jalen to past Knicks legends. “Please understand that we strive for excellence,” he told New York Magazine. “I’ve always pushed him, and I will continue to do so. People get swept up in his achievements so far, which are indeed remarkable. I mean, I’m a proud dad—who wouldn’t be? But to truly be considered great, you need sustained success. There’s no taking away from legends like Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, and Patrick Ewing—they sustained excellence over many years. We still have a journey ahead, but we’ll get there.”

He continued, “You’re always thinking about the next season. It’s just how he operates. Our goal is to return to where we were this season and have another shot at the championship. You always want more.”

Rick once played with Ewing during two brief spells with the Knicks.

Ewing remains the franchise’s all-time leader in statistics and was a key player during the famed 90s era, where they fell just short of winning it all. Frazier was a charismatic star, instrumental in the team’s last two championship wins in 1970 and 1973, and later became a cherished announcer for the team. Reed, a cornerstone of those championship squads, earned two Finals MVP awards along with the NBA MVP title in 1970, helping create some of the most memorable moments in league history.

The common thread among these greats is their longevity. They not only stayed in the league but also committed significant time to the Knicks. At this stage, Jalen simply hasn’t put in that time yet.

“And let’s not forget Patrick Ewing,” Rick had said on CBS Mornings. “I saw him play, and he truly is the best in history. Ewing excelled in rebounding, scoring, and every stat you could measure. His work ethic was unmatched. He put in the effort and was the best player we had.”

“Pat played for 15 seasons, while Jalen has only been in the league for four. I don’t weigh players by championships alone, but that’s impressive. To me, Pat will always be a champion. As it stands, Big Fella is my favorite.”