Jalen Brunson Giannis Antetokounmpo

On Sunday, Jalen Brunson guided the New York Knicks to a thrilling victory over the Chicago Bulls with a score of 120-119 in overtime, solidifying the team’s position as the second seed in the Eastern Conference. This season marks the Knicks’ strongest performance since the 2012-13 season, where they finished with a remarkable 54-28 record and clinched the No. 2 seed.

Brunson has emerged as a standout player for the Knicks this season, building upon his already impressive performance from last year and playing a pivotal role in propelling the team to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks’ point guard is making a strong argument for inclusion in the All-NBA team, boasting impressive averages of 28.6 points with a 48.0 percent field goal percentage, along with a notable 40.2 percent from beyond the arc.

During a recent segment of ‘Game Time,’ Sam Mitchell, a seasoned NBA player and the recipient of the 2007 NBA Coach of the Year award, shared his perspective on the NBA MVP race. Mitchell boldly declared Jalen Brunson as the premier point guard in the league, suggesting that Brunson deserves higher recognition than even Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“[Jalen Brunson is] above Giannis in my MVP voting. … He’s been the best point guard in the Eastern Conference. Period.” Sam Mitchell said.

Mitchell thinks Brunson should be given more credit for his contributions to the Knicks’ achievements

Mitchell’s remarks are bound to ignite discussions, especially given Giannis Antetokounmpo’s exceptional season, averaging over 30 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists per game. However, Mitchell’s perspective gains weight when considering the Knicks’ persistent injury woes throughout the season.

All-star forward Julius Randle was limited to just 46 games due to a shoulder injury, while starting center Mitchell Robinson appeared in only 30 games after sustaining an ankle injury in December.

Despite these setbacks, the New York Knicks have emerged as a captivating force in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Initially underestimated, they’ve defied expectations to become the NBA’s second-best team, trailing only the Celtics in terms of performance and excitement.