Jalen Brunson made his NBA debut in 2018 when the Dallas Mavericks selected him with the 33rd overall pick. His arrival came shortly after the Mavericks picked Real Madrid star Luka Doncic third in the overall draft. Brunson lacked the stature of standard NBA guards, standing 6’2″ and weighing 198 pounds and although he had a remarkable collegiate career at Villanova, where he won two national championships and received several awards, including Big East Player of the Year and Naismith National Collegiate Player of the Year, many questioned whether his success would carry over to the NBA.

And with his teammate Luka Doncic shining brightly from the very beginning, Brunson had questions about his potential to make an impression in the league.

Jalen Brunson had second thoughts about his skills looking at Doncic

On the ‘All The Smoke’ podcast, Brunson was asked about his draft class and how his experience was with Doncic. Answering them, Brunson said, “He came in right away and he looks so effortless. Like I gotta come in every day, I gotta do this and that to make sure that like they just see.” He further added about how Doncic would approach the game saying, “And this man would come in the gym do his workout and when we playing pickup he’s doing whatever he wants. And I’m like I play at my own pace and control the game whatever but also I’m thinking like this guy is so good, do I belong?”

So, Brunson’s early days in the NBA were difficult, as he tried to find his groove alongside Doncic, who rapidly established himself as the Mavericks’ cornerstone player. Doncic’s quick success increased the pressure to play at a high level, prompting Brunson to question his own ability.

However, Brunson’s patience and hard work paid off in the end. He took advantage of the opportunity to display his talent during the 2022 playoffs when Doncic was out due to injury and led the Mavericks to a key victory over the Utah Jazz, scoring 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. This performance not only silenced critics but also cemented Brunson’s status as an important asset for the Mavericks.

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But then the 27-year-old guard faced a major crossroads in his career during the 2022 offseason. As a free agent, he chose to leave the Mavericks and sign with the New York Knicks beginning a new chapter in Brunson’s career, as he aimed to boost his growth and development as a player. So, despite the initial doubts, his partnership with Doncic has been an important aspect of his development as a player, showing that with determination and self-belief, you can achieve anything.