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The New York Knicks are set to begin their first Eastern Conference Finals since 1999-00 when they face the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Their quest to win their first championship in 52 years will kick off at Madison Square Garden, which figures to be rowdy.
There have been plenty of debates about Jalen Brunson's ranking on the list of all-time Knicks, however, Stephen A. Smith made a different claim on Tuesday. The host of ESPN's "First Take" labeled the two-time All-Star as the best player remaining in the postseason.
"Jalen Brunson is clearly the best player in the playoffs," ESPN's Stephen A. Smith stated Tuesday. "I think Gilbert (Arenas') synopsis is right on point. Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), soon to be MVP, best player, but best player this postseason? Jalen Brunson. Best player the last three postseasons. He's the leading scorer, averaging 30 a game, better than anybody. The reason I bring up (Anthony Edwards), however, is because if there's one person that has the ability to eclipse the greatness we are witnessing elsewhere, it is that brother. On center stage, this man, Anthony Edwards can take the (expletive) over and debunk all of that talk. So, I get it that Jalen Brunson is the best playoff dude... I get that Shai Gilgeous is the best in terms of all-around from beginning of the season to now and he's about the win the MVP, but there's somebody in the mix that can steal thunder from both of them and it's Ant-Man."
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Brunson has had a magnificent 12-game stretch to begin the postseason. The Knicks guard is averaging 28.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.0% from the field, 36.3% from three-point range and 81.9% from the free-throw line.
While Gilgeous-Alexander and Edwards have put up comparable numbers, it is no surprise to see Smith -- who is a die-hard Knicks fan -- label Brunson as the best player remaining. The three guards -- as well as Tyrese Haliburton -- will have the opportunity to separate themselves from the pack the rest of the way.
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