New York Jet? TNT's Kenny Smith Changes Tune on Knicks, Jalen Brunson
The Jet is changing course.
Kenny Smith, the TNT analyst and two-time NBA champion, is a believer in the New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson, professing his change of faith during halftime coverage of the Manhattanites' latest statement win, a 118-109 defeat of the Boston Celtics that was hardy as close as the scoreboard indicated. The charge was led by 39 points from Brunson, giving him five straight games with at least 35.
"The New York Knicks are the most surprise team to me in basketball, right now," Smith admitted. "They should be a No. 6 seed without Julius Randle. (Mitchell) Robinson missed some time, OG (Anunoby) missed games. Brunson has been the best basketball player in the Eastern Conference by far."
Smith has certainly changed his tune from December, when he chided the Knicks for "always hav(ing) the second-best player" on the floor. Brunson has certainly rendered that narrative null and void as some observers are vouching for a late MVP case from the metropolitan point guard.
The onslaught of injuries in the Knicks lineup has offered Brunson a chance to prove his worth. To say he has stepped up to the challge would be the understatement of the season: since missing a Mar. 5 loss to Atlanta, Brunson has been on an absolute tear, averaging 32.8 points and 7.1 assists while catapulting the Knicks to the third spot in the East.
Time will tell if he's able to secure postseason accolades (such as an All-NBA team nomination) but there's no doubt that he has struck down yet another narrative supposedly holding the Knicks back.
Brunson and the Knicks will look to further solidify their playoff foundation on Friday night when they host the Brooklyn Nets (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI
Editor-In-Chief at All Knicks