Jalen Brunson is first in points per game (35.6), fifth in assists (8.1) and third in minutes (45.7) in the ongoing NBA playoffs, and his stellar play has meant the Knicks are just two wins away from clinching their first Conference Final berth since 1999-2000.
The Villanova alum's heroics have led some to anoint him the best active point guard in the NBA, especially with Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard's seasons ending prematurely. However, Draymond Green believes anyone who ranks Brunson over his teammate is a prisoner of the moment.
"F--- no," Green said in response to a mailbag question on "The Draymond Green Show" podcast. "Steph Curry (is) in the NBA. Dude, are you crazy? What? Come on, no. That's ridiculous. Steph Curry is still in the NBA, he's still great. Come on. Stop it, what?"
Green took it a step further and mentioned Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who is also listed as a point guard.
.@Money23Green answers a mailbag question about Jalen Brunson being the best PG in the NBA… pic.twitter.com/7370ZwAmyF
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) May 9, 2024
This isn't the first instance of Green disregarding Brunson. Through most of the ongoing playoffs, Green has maintained that Brunson is too "ball-dominant" to lead the Knicks to their first championship since 1973.
Green faced a lot of flak from New York fans for picking the Sixers to beat the Knicks in the first round, a prediction that he got wrong largely due to Brunson's elite play.
Brunson is used to detractors writing him off. It's why he fell to the second round in the 2018 NBA Draft despite leading Villanova to two NCAA titles.
Before that year's draft, many pundits and draft experts forecasted Brunson to be a "backup" role player in the NBA, citing his undersized frame and lack of athleticism. All Brunson can do is keep proving his doubters wrong.
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