Two weeks after winning the NBA championship, Jalen Brunson is doing exactly what you’d expect from a guy who just earned Finals MVP. He’s running a youth camp in Illinois. And he sent a message that hit different for New York fans.
The Knicks officially posted video of Brunson addressing the campers. He kept it simple. He kept it direct. And if you’ve been paying attention to the offseasons where star players immediately start talking about free agency or legacy, you’ll appreciate the tone. Brunson sounded like he was just getting started.
Wednesday was a rough day for the fanbase
Not even two full weeks after the parade and the talk show circuit, Knicks fans got a gut punch. Mitchell Robinson, the longest-tenured player on the roster last season, signed with the Boston Celtics in free agency. That’s the rival. The one that’s been a problem in the East for years. Losing a fan favorite is one thing. Watching him go to Boston is another entirely.
Social media reacted accordingly. Some fans were understanding. Others weren’t. Robinson was a locker room presence and a defensive anchor for years. Seeing him in green is going to take some time to process.
But here’s the thing. The Knicks held onto Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet. They’re bringing back the entire starting five. That starting five is headlined by Brunson, who dropped 45 points in Game 5 on the road to close out the Spurs. They didn’t stumble into this title. They earned it.
Can they do it again?
Nobody has repeated as champions since the 2018 Warriors. And that Warriors team was the only team to even reach the Finals the year after winning it in 2019. The Eastern Conference is loading up. Boston just got Robinson. Philly is making moves. Milwaukee isn’t going anywhere. Miami always finds a way to be annoying.
So the question is real. Can a franchise that spent most of the 21st century as the league’s punchline handle the weight of being the target? Brunson’s camp video suggests the answer is yes. But the court is where we’ll find out.
Free agency is still running. The trade market hasn’t closed. But for now, the Knicks have their leader. And he’s not done talking.
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