This NBA season has witnessed Jalen Brunson’s meteoric rise as a pivotal player for the New York Knicks. Despite grappling with injuries to key teammates like Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle, Brunson’s exceptional performance guided the Knicks to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
On a recent episode of “7 PM in Brooklyn,” NBA legend Stephon Marbury passionately advocated for Brunson’s MVP candidacy. Marbury lauded Brunson’s leadership, emphasizing his impact on the team’s success even in the absence of key players.
“You have mentioned that Jalen Brunson deserves to be in the MVP talk. He’s in space. He has the right mindset as far as doing what’s needed to push my team forward… Even with Randall out, that is MVP-style stuff,” Marbury stated.
Analyzing Brunson’s performance statistics alongside those of other MVP frontrunners offers intriguing insights into his impactful season.
This season, Brunson boasted a career-high average of 28.7 points per game (ppg) and an improved assist rate, averaging 6.7 assists per game (apg). These impressive numbers underscore his instrumental role in the Knicks’ success.
Comparatively, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets saw a moderate increase in his scoring, averaging 26.4 ppg, coupled with a rise in rebounds, averaging 12.4 rebounds per game (rpg). Jokic’s contributions were pivotal in securing the Nuggets’ second seed in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) of the Oklahoma City Thunder exhibited consistent performance with an average of 30.1 ppg, a slight dip from his previous season. However, SGA’s all-around game showcased improvements in rebounds (5.5 rpg) and assists (6.2 apg). Notably, SGA’s contributions were instrumental in guiding the Thunder to the top seed in the Western Conference.
While Brunson’s stellar performance this season has undoubtedly made him a standout player, the MVP conversation remains dominated by established stars like Jokic and rising talents like SGA. Despite not being a frontrunner in MVP discussions, Jalen Brunson’s leadership and game-changing performances for the Knicks make a compelling case for his inclusion in the MVP conversation.
As the NBA season draws to a close, the MVP race promises to be a fiercely contested battle. While Jokic and SGA have undeniably showcased MVP-caliber performances, Brunson’s underdog story and unmatched resilience could sway voters in his favour.
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