Former NBA All-Star upsets Knicks fans with controversial Jalen Brunson take

The New York Knicks are in a position to compete for a title thanks to their star, but not everyone is sold on his greatness.

Going into next season, Jalen Brunson has an opportunity to make his mark on the NBA world and rise the ranks of Knicks greats. Competing for a title is never easy, but Brunson’s ascension to stardom has put the Knicks near the top of the East over the past few years.

Since arriving in New York, Brunson has blossomed into one of the top guards in the league. Last season, he secured his second straight All-Star and All-NBA appearances, averaging 26 points and 7.3 assists while leading New York to the third-best record in the East.

Despite those numbers, former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague isn’t sold on Brunson being better than former Celtics star Isaiah Thomas. A 5-foot-9 MVP candidate while in Boston in 2017, Thomas’ peak was short, but he was one of the best in the league, leading to Teague taking his side in a debate.

“I’m taking IT,” Teague said. “I am, they do the same s—, and IT do it better really.”

Teague doubled down when asked not just who the better player is, but also who the better scorer is.

“I swear to god I’m not being biased,” Teague said. “I watched Jalen Brunson grow up, but [Thomas] averaged 30. He averaged 30.”

Thomas’ best season came in his 2016-17 year, where he averaged 28.9 points, just narrowly ahead of Brunson’s career-high 28.7 points per game in 2023-24. While there is certainly a case to be made for Thomas, Teague’s argument still upset many Knicks fans on social media. In any case, Brunson and the Knicks will have an opportunity to end this argument on the court next season.