The New York Knicks are 2-4. Blame for the slow start can be assigned to any number of people within the organization.
At the top of the totem pole sits Jalen Brunson, and his place as team captain comes with a responsibility and susceptibility during times like these.
He didn’t do himself any favors when he walked out on stage next to Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
Fans quickly took to critcizing Brunson in a flurry of tweets and posts online.
Right message, wrong messenger
To be fair to fans, Brunson is struggling. But he did just snap a 53-year title drought, and I trust no one is more aware of how he’s playing than the captain.
Whether he’s been invaded by the body snatchers, had his talent taken by the Monstars from Space Jam, or is just listening to too much Harry Styles it’s been a rough go for Brunson to start the year.
His usage is up, the assists are down, and his true shooting percentage is his lowest as a Knick by a country mile.
On it’s face? Brunson looks like he’s working too hard for shots most nights. And it’s showing up in the shots he usually nails.
Brunson is shooting 25% on floaters. Last season, that number was 50%. According to Fadeaway, he’s averaged (at least) a point per possession on those shots in every season since 2021-2022. This season, he’s at 0.5 points per possession.
It’s also been a struggle for Brunson at the end of games. He’s just three-for-10 from the field and one-for-four from three in clutch time this season. New York is 1-4 in those games, after going 21-13 last year.
Simply put, the Knicks’ best player isn’t playing like it. Brunson will look to turn things around on Monday night, when New York host the Brooklyn Nets.
Tip-off is 7:30 pm EST.
