Jalen Brunson busting an age-old myth about small guards

Brunson added another chapter to his growing legacy as a Knicks icon, joining the great Walt Frazier as the only players in franchise history to record a 35/10/5 game in the playoffs. That's quite the accomplishment considering the Knicks have had Hall of Famers such as Patrick Ewing, Bernard King, Earl Monroe and Carmelo Anthony.

Undersized? Proving everyone wrong

Brunson's ascension most definitely busts the age-old myth that smaller guards are ill-equipped to shine in the postseason. 

In fairness, there is some validity to the myth. 

In modern NBA history, the 5-foot-11 Avery Johnson (1999, Spurs), 6-foot-1 Derek Fisher (five titles, Lakers) and 6-foot Fred VanVleet (2019, Raptors) are the only undersized guards to play pivotal roles on championship-winning teams. Even Stephen Curry, listed at 6-foot-3, isn't undersized compared to the league average for guards. 

The key difference is that Johnson, Fisher and VanVleet were role players on their championship-winning teams, unlike Brunson, who is the clear-cut No. 1 option and the engine of New York's offense. 

That's what makes Brunson's exploits all the more impressive.

"He's the first guard to legitimately make it a debate: 'Who's the best small guard in the league?'" The Volume's Jason Timpf said of Brunson. "It was always Curry, and it wasn't close. Even Dame [Damian Lillard] was nowhere near the player. He legitimately has a case for being the best small-guard in the league right now."

Timpf also praised Brunson for holding his own defensively against the Celtics. As the primary defender, Brunson has held Jaylen Brown to 38.9 percent shooting and Derrick White to 41.7 percent. 

Brunson leads all players in the playoffs in points (301) and field goals made (103) and is third in assists (80).