Jeremy Lin didn’t hold back when he broke down what made this year’s Knicks championship team different. And honestly, his take cuts straight to the point.
Appearing on The Stephen A. Smith Show, Lin argued that New York’s title run wasn’t just about talent. It was about something more basic. Sacrifice. Specifically, Jalen Brunson’s decision to leave $113 million on the table when he signed his last contract extension.
“It’s team and its grit, right? The team starts with Brunson giving up 113 million,” Lin said.
That single move, according to Lin, set the tone for everything that followed. When your best player takes less money to keep the roster together, it sends a message down the whole lineup. Nobody is above the group.
College roots and a coach who changed the vibe
Lin also pointed to something you don’t hear talked about as much. The Knicks roster was built with guys who already knew how to win before they got to New York. Brunson at Villanova. Josh Hart at Villanova. Mikal Bridges at Villanova. OG Anunoby at Indiana. These guys played in big games, handled pressure, and came into the league with a winning habit already baked in.
“The team starts in college, them learning how to win, them dealing with pressure, them being clear-minded and focused in the clutch,” Lin said.
And then there’s Mike Brown. Lin gave the head coach real credit for reshaping the atmosphere around the team.
“A lot of credit to Mike Brown coming in, the atmosphere, the culture, the way they talk about each other. You can just feel it. You can feel they really love each other, they root for each other. They just don’t care about individual stats.”
Everyone contributed when it mattered
The Knicks took down Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win the franchise’s first title since 1973. But it wasn’t just Brunson carrying the load. Different guys stepped up at different moments throughout the playoffs. OG Anunoby hit big shots. Mikal Bridges played lockdown defense. Josh Hart did the dirty work. Jose Alvarado came off the bench and changed games.
Lin noticed that pattern too.
“Every time someone needs to step up, somebody does. Whether it’s OG or Mikal or Josh Hart, even Alvarado. They always have somebody that steps up and makes a difference.”
That depth is what made the Knicks impossible to gameplan against. You could take away Brunson, but there was always another guy ready to make a winning play. Lin summed it up simply: “Every time it’s close, the Knicks are going to find a way.”
And they did. Fifty-three years without a title, and now New York is sitting on top of the league with a roster that looks built to stay there.
Leave a Comment