Starting the game sluggishly, the New York Knicks managed to get their offense up in the second half to avoid a loss at home. They beat the Wizards 113-109, as Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 41 points. In a hilariously post-game talk with reporters, one of them asked Brunson if he was present when his dad, Rick Brunson, had 41 points for the Knicks.

The current Knicks assistant coach, Brunson Sr.’s highest points were 19 in a Lakers game. And so, Jalen comically responds to the question with, “Total points?” which led to a round of barely suppressed laughter.

This father-son duo of the Knicks is not a fresh addition to the league. Ever since his younger days, Jalen has been a regular on the NBA courts. When the current NY head coach, Tom Thibodeau, landed his first HC gig with the Bulls, his first move was to get Rick on his team. That was in 2012.

Ten years fly past, and the pair meet again in 2022. This time, it’s Thibodeau’s Knicks. Completing the circle was Jalen Brunson’s arrival in the same year, just a month apart in the hiring of both father and son. New York welcomed Brunson happily with a four-year $104 million deal.

Jalen Brunson Insulted Michael Jordan in 3 Words to His Face and the “NBA GOAT” Couldn’t do Anything

But it wasn’t simply their past bonds that led Coach Thibodeau to bring Jalen Brunson in.

“A lot of fake stuff in our league… Jalen’s the opposite”: Knicks HC on Brunson

The first time Tom Thibodeau met a young Jalen was when he was five or six years old. Rick Brunson had a short stint with New York in 1999, and Thibodeau was the assistant for the Knicks then. Even then, Thibodeau felt the spark and genuine love of the sport in Jalen. “There’s a lot of fake stuff in our league, let’s be honest. People say all the right things and do none of them … Jalen’s just the opposite,” Thibodeau said.

Having a father who was an NBA professional meant Jalen grew up breathing the league air. More importantly, he had early access to Thibodeau’s coaching style. That fact alone was enough for the younger Brunson to know that he had to put in the work if he wanted to earn his coach’s trust and respect. “He’s coming in, and he’s actually doing the work,” the 65-year-old Thibodeau confirmed.

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Anyway, it’s clear that bringing in the 6’2 guard was a wise choice. He is averaging 26.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game this season, as well as leading the team in points and assists. Tonight’s game was no exception, either. Just another one of the reasons why the Knicks are building a roster around Brunson.

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