ESPN personality and one-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics Kendrick Perkins is evidently a big fan of New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson. On Friday’s episode of First Take, Perkins said he wouldn’t take a single point guard in the game right now over Brunson. Furthermore, Perkins specifically named Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as two guys he would rather have Brunson over.
Perk: “No disrespect to Steph Curry. No disrespect to SGA. But I’m not taking anybody over Jalen Brunson…Right now he is the best point guard in the game in my opinion when it comes to being a floor manager & a floor general” pic.twitter.com/oof4LLPY0k
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 22, 2024
Former NBA Champion Shares Hot Take About Knicks Star
Jalen Brunson Deserves Kendrick Perkins’ Praise…
In his second season with the New York Knicks, Brunson is enjoying the best year of his career. On the season, Brunson is averaging 27.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. Furthermore, the Villanova alum is shooting 47.8% from the field and 39.9% from beyond the arc. Brunson’s season has not gone unnoticed either. The 27-year-old made it to his first All-Star team this season and could bring home a few end-of-season accolades as well. Additionally, Golden State Warriors and Team USA head coach Steve Kerr recently spoke about wanting Brunson to join Team USA this year:
“There’s a reason he’s on our list. Because he’s a great, great player and high character, a leader,” Kerr said. “He’s everything you want as a player. He’s high on our list and he’s definitely somebody we’re considering.”
Despite a multitude of injuries to key players like Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle, and OG Anunoby, the Knicks seem destined to make it to the playoffs this season. This is in large part due to Brunson’s impressive play. Currently, the Knicks have a 41-28 record and own the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.
…But Does He Compare to Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
There is no denying Brunson is doing tremendous work on the basketball court this season. However, it’s not fair to immediately put him ahead of Curry, a future Hall of Famer, or Gilgeous-Alexander, a top MVP candidate this year. Here’s a general statistical breakdown of these three All-Stars:
Brunson – 27.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists per game, 47.8 FG%, and 39.9 3pt%
Curry – 26.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists per game, 45 FG%, and 40.5 3pt%
Gilgeous-Alexander – 30.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists per game, 54.4 FG%, and 37.6 3pt%. (Furthermore, Gilgeous-Alexander leads the NBA with 2.1 steals per game).
Additionally, while none of these guards are necessarily elite defenders, Brunson is arguably the worst defender of the three.
Is Kendrick Perkins Right About Jalen Brunson?
Brunson is an amazing player who should only get better with the Knicks. He has a long career ahead of him and is showing flashes of stardom this season. However, there are a few point guards in the league who are better than Brunson. Furthermore, Perkins praised Brunson’s ability as “a floor manager and a floor general.” While this is fair, Tyrese Haliburton is arguably a better floor general than Brunson.
In all, it’s tough to agree with Perkins here. Brunson is a great fit in New York. However, there are other point guards the average NBA fan would rather have on their team to win an NBA championship.
