New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was one of the best players in the NBA throughout the 2023-24 NBA season. He earned his first trip to the NBA All-Star Game and saw his performance reach another level when injuries hit the roster.
With fellow All-Star Julius Randle, starting forward OG Anunoby and starting center Mitchell Robinson sidelined, Brunson put the team on his back. He is a major reason the Knicks are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference heading into the NBA Postseason.
In recent weeks, some analysts and insiders have begun pushing for Brunson to be in the MVP race. His peers and coaches around the NBA acknowledge how great of a player he is, but some people in the media have been slow to do the same.
Throughout his basketball career, Brunson has been doubted. But, every step of the way, he has proven those naysayers wrong. The people who thought he was overpaid by the Knicks are now eating crow as he is one of the best players in the NBA.
That should be reflected once the voting for the All-NBA teams is revealed as well. There is no doubt that Brunson will make one of the teams; which one he will be on, however, is seemingly up for debate.
There have been some voters who revealed they have Brunson on the second team, unable to find a spot for him on the first team despite having him in the top five of the MVP voting. While Brunson has made it clear personal accolades aren’t overly important to him, as he is focused on team success, he deserves to be on the All-NBA First Team.
One of the players he will be competing against for a spot on that team will be Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. Tatum is regarded as the best player on the team and will receive recognition for that as the Celtics are also the best team in the NBA.
But, when comparing the two against each other, there isn’t much of a debate. When it comes down to production, which spots on the All-NBA Teams should be based on, Brunson is blowing him away. As shared by The Strickland on X, the Knicks’ star has outperformed Tatum in multiple categories.
Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic feel close to shoo-ins for the All-NBA First Team. Giannis Antetokounmpo is likely going to be fighting for that last spot along with Tatum and Brunson in what will be a hotly contested vote.
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