Jalen Brunson Still 'Trying to Do Better' After Historic New York Knicks Season

Jalen Brunson just wrapped up a historical season for the New York Knicks but is still looking to improve.

Apr 12, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shields the ball | Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson has been remarkable for his team this season.

Brunson just wrapped one of the most productive seasons in franchise history, averaging 28.7 points and 6.7 assists in his second season in Manhattan. He came up particularly big in the final stages of the season, putting up over 38 points over the final seven games as the Knicks (50-32) locked up not only a 50-win season but also the second seed on the Eastern Conference playoff bracket. The regular season ended with seven consecutive games of Brunson scoring at least 30, including 40 in Sunday's closing win over Chicago at Madison Square Garden.

Apr 11, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots the ball | Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

All that and more, however, hasn't been enough to satisfy Brunson, according to head coach Tom Thibodeau.

"What I love about Jalen, he just stays locked in," Tom Thibodeau said ahead of the regular-season finale against the Bulls, in video from SNY. "Whatever it is that he's done, it's never good enough, he's always trying to do better."

Stepping up in the wake of numerous injuries cemented Brunson as the undoubted face of the franchise. The former Dallas Maverick continues to play up to the expectations a four-year, $104 million contract burdened him with during the summer of 2022 as he has more than solved the Knicks' long-standing backcourt issues.

Placed in the second seed for the first time since 2013, Brunson and the Knicks have a prime opportunity to vie for the franchise's first championship in over five decades. If history is any indication, even that won't be enough to satisfy the ever-hungry point guard.