The Brilliance of Jalen Brunson

Late in Game 6, despite the fanbase's unwavering faith in its Captain, it looked like even the Caped Crusader would be unable to save the day...

Yes, there were plenty of hiccups and missteps along the way, but we'll get to that later. 

Yes, the seemingly unbeatable (and well-rested) Celtics are lingering like the Grim Reaper around the corner, but we will get to that later. 

But first, we have to take the time to fully appreciate and commemorate what we witnessed. 

As I've written often in this newsletter throughout this roller-coaster of a season, and frequently in various posts and publications throughout my nearly two decades as a journalist, fans should treasure memorable moments when they arrive. 

You don't need me to tell you that nothing is promised, especially in our current chaotic world. Long-suffering Knicks fans don't need me to remind them how bad the team was for the first 20+ years of the 21st century.

There's no guarantee that New York will remain competitive after #11 is no longer wearing orange and blue. 

Which is we have to take time to reflect on the brilliance of Jalen Brunson on days like today. You can be a loyal fan of a franchise for a lifetime and never have one of "those guys" on your side. They don't come along very often. The Knicks now have one. The team that didn't have a quality starting point forever now has the best clutch scorer in the sport. 

It's on us to make sure we don't take it for granted. 

Late in Game 6, despite the fanbase's unwavering faith in its Captain, it looked like even the Caped Crusader would be unable to save the day this time.

When Tim Hardaway Jr. hit a pull-up jumper on the baseline with 2:35 left in the fourth quarter, it put the Pistons up 112-105. It capped a dizzying, disastrous 20-2 run by Detroit, which now had its raucous home crowd in a frenzy and all the momentum in the world on their side. 

It's no secret that the Knicks wanted no part of a winner-take-all Game 7 inside a panic-stricken MSG, yet it seemed inevitable we were headed that way.  

Just how dire were the circumstances, you ask? Well, consider this: Dating back to the start of the 1996-97 season, when the NBA first began tracking play-by-play data, the Knicks have trailed by seven or more points with less than 2:30 remaining in a playoff game 47 times. They lost all 47 of those previous contests. 

But this time, they had Brunson.