There’s excitement in the air the Big Apple after the New York Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is feeling confident about the Knicks’ chances of bringing home an NBA championship for the first time since 1973.
On the latest episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the eccentric analyst discussed if Jalen Brunson will become the greatest player in Knicks franchise history if they win a title.
Smith predicted that Brunson will indeed become the Knicks GOAT if he manages to bring a championship.
“If the New York Knicks win the conference tournament, and they end up advancing to the Finals, and they win the finals with Jalen Brunson doing what he does, Jalen Brunson will go down as the greatest New York Knickerbocker in history,” Smith said.
He added, “Better than Walt ‘Clyde’ Frasier, better than Bernard King, better than Patrick Ewing, all of it. He’ll go down as the greatest Knick of all time if he delivers the championship to this city. No doubt about it.”
Since arriving in New York in 2022, the Knicks have never missed the playoffs. They have reached the Eastern Conference Finals twice and are just four wins away from their first NBA championship in 53 years.
Jalen Brunson in the 2026 NBA Playoffs
GettyJalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts during the second half of Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 28, 2026 in New York City. The Knicks won 126-97.
The Knicks got off to a rocky start in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. The were down 2-1 to the Atlanta Hawks before coach Mike Brown made some fantastic adjustments on the offensive end.
Brown turned Karl-Anthony Towns into his primary playmaker, removing pressure off Jalen Brunson. It has worked quite well for the Knicks since they are 7-0 since that happened.
They won the next three games against the Hawks to advance to the second round and then swept the Philadelphia 76ers to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
In 10 games in the playoffs, Brunson is averaging 27.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He’s shooting 48.5% from the field, 40.9% from 3-point range and 86.4% from the free-throw line.
Jalen Brunson Downplays Current Knicks Legacy
GettyJalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates after a basket during the first half of a game against the Atlanta Hawks in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Despite playing just four seasons with the Knicks, Jalen Brunson is already being considered one of the franchise’s greatest players. Brunson’s legacy appears to be locked already, with a shot at becoming their GOAT if he brings an NBA championship.
However, Brunson isn’t ready to talk about his legacy with the Knicks early in his tenure.
“I think that’s a question I would love to answer when I retire,” Brunson told The Athletic. “This place means a lot to me. We’re still writing our story. I’ll answer that another time.”
Brunson’s path to stardom in New York was unconventional. He was a second-round pick by the Dallas Mavericks, turning into Luka Doncic‘s co-star in his fourth year in the NBA. He became a free agent and signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the Knicks in 2022.
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