Former NBA All-Star Baron Davis offered high praise for Jalen Brunson’s playoff heroics and pinpointed a key area the New York Knicks must address to maximize his impact.
Speaking on the Podcast P with Paul George, presented by Wave Original, Davis called Brunson “so cold” and emphasized how defenses in the postseason exploited the Knicks’ lack of another reliable ball-handler.
“Nobody can stop him,” Davis said on the podcast. “But if you watch what Indiana did, the half court became another defender. His space got limited. They need another guard to handle pressure, bring the ball up, and let him operate one-on-one late in games.”
Brunson’s rise to stardom has been one of the league’s most notable stories over the past two seasons. Since signing with New York in July 2022, he has transformed into an All-NBA player, earning back-to-back Second Team honors and finishing 10th in MVP voting this past season. He was also named an All-Star starter and became the NBA Clutch Player of the Year, leading the league in clutch field goals and points.
His postseason performances further elevated his status. In the 2025 playoffs, Brunson averaged 29.4 points and 7.0 assists over 18 games. He passed Knicks legends Patrick Ewing and Bernard King for franchise playoff scoring records, joining elite company alongside Michael Jordan and LeBron James in various postseason statistical categories.
Despite his individual brilliance, New York fell to Indiana in six games during the Eastern Conference Finals.
Brunson’s commitment to the team’s future is clear. In July 2024, he signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension — turning down the chance at a larger contract later — to maintain flexibility for roster improvements. He was also named the 36th captain in franchise history in August.
