Jalen Brunson left the Dallas Mavericks this summer for a deal with the New York Knicks that will pay him more than $100 million over four years.
While the money was definitely a big reason for Brunson’s departure, many wondered if perhaps he also tired of playing alongside Luka Doncic.
Doncic is a generational talent who needs the ball in his hands to be successful. Brunson, similarly, does his best work with the ball in his hands.
During an interview this week, Brunson got very honest about his relationship with Doncic and whether it was difficult to play alongside him.
“It wasn’t really difficult because you knew what it was,” he told USA Today. “Luka is such a great talent that he can do anything on the court, whether he wants to do it or not.
“I think for me, I kinda figured out how to play with him. He’s so dominant, he knows how to play the game, and he knows how to help his team win. Having a guy like that, things are rarely going to change around him. So, you’re gonna have to adapt…
“I truly loved playing with him because we were in a position to win every night because of him. For me, I learned how to play off of him. We’re great friends so that’s obviously a plus too. He’s special. I’ve said this numerous times and I’ll continue to speak it into existence, that dude is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”
Much has been made about Doncic’s role in Brunson’s exit. It doesn’t help that the 23-year-old had already chased one teammate out of town prior to this.
But by all accounts, there was no bad blood here. Doncic and Brunson seem to be on fine terms.
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 1, 2022
Will Brunson be able to replicate the success he had in Dallas next year with the Knicks?
Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
