Stephen A. Smith has placed Jalen Brunson at the center of a historic Knicks debate amid a strong 2026 postseason run in New York.
Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Smith stated, “I personally believe that if he wins the championship for the New York Knicks this year, I believe he will be the greatest Knick of all-time.”
The comment comes as the Knicks compete in the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, with Game 1 already resulting in a 105–95 victory for New York on June 3.
Brunson has been the driving force of the Knicks’ playoff push, producing 27.1 points and 6.3 assists per game across 15 postseason appearances. He has also maintained a .476 field goal percentage while carrying a heavy offensive load.
His efficiency has remained steady despite increased defensive attention in high-leverage moments. Brunson has averaged 36.2 minutes per game, reflecting his central role in late-game execution and half-court creation.
New York entered the Finals after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers 4–0 in the Eastern Conference Finals. The team’s depth has complemented Brunson’s production throughout the postseason.
Karl-Anthony Towns has provided 17.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, while OG Anunoby has added two-way consistency with 19.5 points on 48.4% three-point shooting.
Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart have filled secondary playmaking and defensive roles, supporting a rotation that has prioritized switchability and perimeter control. The Knicks finished the regular season 53–29, securing the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Finals matchup against San Antonio presents a contrasting style, with the Spurs advancing after a seven-game Western Conference Finals win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Game 2 is scheduled for June 5 in San Antonio.
