Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson Still A 'Sleeper' for MVP Award
With the All-Star break in the books, questions about the NBA Most Valuable Player award will only heat up on and off the floor.
The usual suspects (i.e. Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic) lead the ongoing chase, but New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson was among five "sleepers" listed by Bleacher Report with March looming.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY SPORTS
"If players like (Julius) Randle, (OG) Anunoby, and (Mitchell) Robinson continue to stay sidelined, Brunson's individual numbers will stay inflated," Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz writes. "If Brunson continues to average 30-plus points per game and carry the Knicks to wins without their starting frontcourt, his odds should increase dramatically."
"Brunson is an extremely likable player who's worked his way into becoming an All-Star. Playing in one of the biggest markets in the world doesn't hurt his case, either."
Brunson is averaging a career-best 27.6 points per game, which has leaped to 31.8 in 10 appearances since Anunoby (elbow) and Randle (shoulder) were sidelined with injuries. His efforts were rewarded with his first career All-Star appearance last week.
If Brunson keeps his current place, he'll certainly have an MVP case. He may, however, maybe need to lead the Knicks to a few more wins while Anunoby and Randle continue to heal: New York (34-23) currently sits fourth in the Eastern Conference entering this week but has posted a 5-6 mark since Brunson's fellow starters went down.
Brunson will get to continue his MVP case on Monday night when the Knicks host the Detroit Pistons (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
