After showing high levels of success with the Knicks this past season, Jalen Brunson has a great chance to be an All-Star in 2023-2024. Brunson had a good regular season but took his game to new heights in the playoffs. Therefore, Brunson has the tools to make a strong case for All-Star. The article examines how and why he will do this.
Jalen Brunson Will Be an All-Star
Last Season Success
As previously mentioned, Brunson was fantastic last season. Averaging 24 points and 6.2 assists, Brunson produced at a high and efficient level in 2022-2023. Brunson had his career year and shot 41.6 percent from three-point range. Everything was working well in the regular season, as Brunson only surrendered 2.1 turnovers.
Furthermore, he produced in the postseason. The Knicks got to the Second Round for the first time since 2013, and Brunson was the driving force behind this success. Brunson averaged 27.8 points per game on almost 48 percent shooting from the field. Jalen also had an offensive rating of 125 in the Postseason. More importantly, he had his playoff-high 41 points in their Game 6 loss to the Miami Heat. Jalen made a giant leap in his first season with the Knicks and looks to add more this season.
Why He Brings Value to Knicks?
Playoff Success
In the last two postseasons, Brunson has averaged over 21 points a game and improved each season. Jalen produced big moments consistently for the Knicks. In terms of team impact, Jalen had an overall plus/minus of +33 in the playoffs. He also had a 58 true shooting percentage, which takes in all the shots he takes and calculates his efficiencies.
Furthermore, he helped the Knicks win a playoff series. New York has been a laughing stock for the last decade or so because of their lack of success. Jalen brought a will to win and helped them beat the Cavs in five games. He made a strong push against Miami in the Second Round. Winning and individual success are what determine the value of an NBA team.
Ability to Involve Others
Brunson is an excellent point guard as well. Not only did he average 6.2 assists, but he had an assist rate of 29 percent in the regular season and 26.8 percent in the Postseason. Therefore, he gets teammates involved and gets the ball moving. However, the more important stat to consider is Brunson’s assist-to-turnover ratio. Brunson averaged almost three more assists than turnovers last season. His ability to take care of the ball is essential because the Knicks found success offensively. Ranking 7th in offense, according to team rankings, Brunson’s unselfishness created more opportunities for players to find success.
Why Will He Be an All-Star?
Jalen Brunson is a future All-Star. He is a winner, as he was 13th in the NBA in winning shares. Therefore, the Knicks will remain a successful team with Brunson. More importantly, Brunson has improved every season. Jalen is coming off a career year and seems to be only improving with Team USA this summer.
He emerged last season as one of the better point guards in the league. It is time he is an All-Star. Brunson gets his teammates better, produces in big moments, and improves his game. Do not be shocked if Brunson is an Eastern Conference All-Star in 2024.
