Which Stat Defines Jalen Brunson's Leadership?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lance Roberson | Last updated Dec 2, 2024 2:50 PM ET

Jalen Brunson provides the New York Knicks with a three-dimensional leadership approach. Although Brunson is not the most vocal player on the team, when he speaks, it matters. Ultimately, Brunson's on-court production communicates the loudest. One vital stat indicates Brunson as a lead-by-example archetype and how it correlates with the Knicks having the best offensive rating.

The Knicks' 12-8 record implies a decent but nothing special team. However, the Knicks' advanced metrics say otherwise. Thanks to Brunson's leadership on and off the court, the Knicks are first in offensive rating.

Brunson is the only Eastern Conference player in the top five points and assists.

Brunson's usage decreased from 32.5 percent during the 2023-24 season to 29.4 percent in the 2024-25 campaign after the Knicks traded for Karl-Anthony Towns.

Despite the slight regression in usage percentage, Brunson commands the ball better than he did in his first season with the Knicks. As a former second-fiddle to one of the best players in the NBA, Luka Doncic, Brunson learned how to lead a team regarding on-court production.

Posting a career-high 7.9 assists per game, Brunson is the commander of Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau's offense. In line with Brunson's dominant production, Towns has his best points-per-game mark (25.2) in four seasons.

Brunson unlocked the beastly side of Towns, which Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards couldn't in his time as the All-Star big's running mate.

Brunson's presence of mind in scoring and passing keeps the Knicks in the mix for a home-court advantage position. Thanks to Brunson's elite scoring and dime-dishing, he's earned a possible MVP candidacy. More importantly, the Knicks have the best offensive rating in the league.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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