Knicks Ex Stephon Marbury Makes Jalen Brunson's MVP Case
Starbury doesn't want to see the New York Knicks' star buried in the NBA MVP conversation.
Speaking with longtime NBA broadcaster/journalist Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson and fellow former Knick Tim Thomas, Marbury made a case for Brunson to land the Association's most prestigious individual honor.
"What he's doing for the Knicks he's giving them the energy of a championship-style run and he's igniting that," Marbury said on Robinson and Thomas' web series "No Nonsense." "He's the head of that and he's pushing that team in that manner. He's pushing the culture in New York. He's literally putting New York on his back and I think that he should be mentioned as one of the MVP candidates ... especially if his team continues to do well. I just wanted to really say that because I think that needs to be mentioned and it needs to be spoken about more."
Two-time winner Nikola Jokic figures to be the favorite for the award again, but Brunson continues to live up to, and even exceed, every expectation a four-year, $104 million contract placed upon him when he signed with the Knicks in the summer of 2022. The point guard's debut campaign was strong enough, but Brunson has built upon the career-bests established last year with averages of 27.4 points and 6.5 assists.
Though postseason success proved fleeting, Marbury knows all about the pressure placed on Brunson as the Knicks' primary point guard and franchise face. In five seasons with the Knicks, the Brooklyn native averaged 18.2 and 7.0 assists (the latter mark ranking third in franchise history) before playing his last NBA season in Boston.
Marbury went as far as to declare that Brunson's evolution should dissuade the Knicks from making the high-profile trade for a superstar that they've supposedly sought over the past two offseasons. He instead advised the Knicks to go after a role player more suitable for head coach Tom Thibodeau's preferences, having played in his system during his aforementioned final season with the Celtics (where Thibodeau was an assistant coach).
"Sometimes when you have three or four scorers on the team ... you have to account for who's shooting the basketball and who's going to take the majority of the shots," Marbury said, noting that Brunson has bonded well with fellow All-Star Julius Randle. "So adding another piece? Me? I don't think trading somebody but I think if you add another piece of a guy who has that same defensive mindframe but can score the basketball but not be a prolific scorer, I think that can help because when we look at the game now, it's not traditional anymore."
Brunson's next chance to make an MVP case lands on Friday when the Knicks hit the road to face the San Antonio Spurs (8 p.m. ET, MSG).
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI
Editor-In-Chief at All Knicks