In this season of rebuild, Jalen Brunson has drawn all the attention towards himself. As the face of the New York Knicks, a lot of responsibilities, both old and new, rest on his shoulders. But remember, the game of basketball isn’t a one-man-army sport. At least, Knicks head coach Mike Brown has clarified his stance on the matter. He wants a fast-paced offense; he wants the half-court to be active and relentless. But most importantly, he wants New York to be in the championship conversation. For that, Stephen Curry could be a helpful savior.

Jalen Brunson remains the heartbeat of the Knicks, driving the team with relentless energy and skill. Over multiple stretches, he carried the load, powering New York to back-to-back 50-win seasons and pushing them deep into the Eastern Conference Finals. His presence transforms the offense and demands attention. It creates opportunities, making him the key figure fans should rally around this season.

Now, Knicks insider Kristian Winfield shared his thoughts on KnicksFan TV. He said, “One of the themes of training camp and media day so far has been that the ball is going to move. On top of that, you’re creating easier looks for Jalen. KAT said, ‘We can use Jalen how the Warriors used Steph Curry — he’s getting off the ball, relocating, getting the ball back again, and shooting a cleaner shot.'”

Stephen Curry stands as the NBA’s ultimate off-ball threat, running over 1,000 off-ball screens in the 2024–25 season. His constant movement commands defensive attention, creating space for teammates and boosting Golden State’s offense by an estimated 11.6 points per 100 possessions. Off-screen, Curry averages 1.16 points per possession. His true shooting is consistently above 63%, proving his elite efficiency even without handling the ball.

Jalen Brunson shows untapped off-ball potential that mirrors Curry’s impact. Only 10.5% of his shots came from catch-and-shoot situations last season, dropping to 7.1% in the playoffs, yet he maintained 58.2% true shooting while averaging 29.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. Off-screen efficiency sits at 1.13 points per possession. Expanding Brunson’s off-ball role could elevate both efficiency and team spacing, echoing Curry’s relentless off-ball mastery.

Winfield further added, “As great as Jalen was last season, he had to work hard for his shots. He had to take punishment. We talk about dribble time and time of possession. He led the league in touch time and dribbles per touch, but he had to do that to get a clean shot because he was the offense.”

JB carried the Knicks’ offense with relentless intensity in 2024–25, leading the league with 6.19 seconds per touch and 6.19 dribbles per touch in the playoffs. He recorded 1,599 total touches, 629 frontcourt touches, and 165 minutes of possession across 18 games. Despite heavy isolation and pressure, he averaged 26.0 points, 7.3 assists, and 48.8% shooting. That’s pure resilience, creativity, and mastery under relentless defensive attention.

At media day, the spotlight turned to Jalen Brunson, but it was Coach Brown who delivered the headline. He laid out a clear vision for the 29-year-old point guard, signaling exactly how Brunson’s role and impact with the New York Knicks will shape the upcoming season. The message left no doubt: Brunson remains central to the team’s future plans.

Mike Brown decides his vision for Jalen Brunson for the 2025-26 season

On Knicks Media Day Tuesday, the head coach praised JB’s versatility but also offered a key suggestion for his game. Brown stated, “The biggest thing that I want to do for him is try to get him, as well as everybody else, easy shots. One of the easiest shots in the game of basketball is a spray three. I’m a big proponent of touching the paint and spraying that basketball for a catch-and-shoot three.”

Brunson flourishes in Mike Brown’s system, turning every paint touch into a scoring opportunity. Whether driving or cutting, he can instantly kick out for a catch-and-shoot three, forcing defenses to react. Brown’s fast, spaced offense leverages this skill, creating open perimeter shots while maintaining floor balance. Efficiency, rhythm, and constant movement make Brunson a nightmare to guard, with a career average of 1.6 threes per game.

Spray threes demand vision, conditioning, and relentless off-ball motion. They keep offensive flow alive, generate points for teammates, and force defenders to stay alert. Last season, the Knicks ranked 27th in 3-point volume, compounded by one of the league’s least productive benches. Adding Yabusele, Clarkson, Shamet, Brogdon, and Mathews boosts spacing instantly. Brunson combines ball-handling with teamwork, making the spray three a core weapon of Brown’s precise, pace-driven offense.

Now, Jalen Brunson is ready to rewrite the Knicks’ playbook. He carries the offense with unmatched energy while embracing a new off-ball role that could unlock his full scoring potential. With Brown’s fast, spaced system and the spray three in full effect, every touch becomes a weapon. Add a deeper, sharpshooting bench and relentless movement, and the Knicks suddenly look unpredictable, dynamic, and thrilling. This season, Brunson isn’t just leading; he’s redefining.