The Captain Speaks

Before Brunson's arrival, we often wondered what kind of reception and recognition a superstar would receive in NYC if he revitalized the Knicks franchise... Well, now we know.

Before Brunson's arrival, we often wondered what kind of reception and recognition a superstar would receive in NYC if he revitalized the Knicks franchise. 

Well, now we know.

After leading New York to on-court success the team hadn't experienced in decades and sacrificing millions by inking a team-friendly extension, Jalen Brunson was feted Thursday afternoon in a ceremony officially announcing his ascension to captaincy.  

The commemoration commenced with a poignant, stirring tribute from Knicks legend Patrick Ewing, who got to know a young Jalen when he hung around his father, Rick, a point guard who played for NY in the late 90s.

"Hey Jalen, it's Patrick," Ewing says at the start of a two-minute video that played on the Jumbotron. "If someone told me the young boy running around the Garden would grow up to be the captain of the New York Knicks. You know what? I'd probably believe it. Even as a kid, you could connect with anyone around you and have confidence. You'd walk up to anyone in that locker room and say just about anything. It was family. It's always family with you. People just want to be around you, Jalen. You're a born leader." 

Seeing Ewing rekindle his relationship with the organization and its fans has been awesome. (Patrick could easily be angry that he never received this type of adoration during his prime but instead continually chooses to celebrate Brunson). His comments yesterday were pitch-perfect and set an ideal tone for the rest of the ceremony. Patrick was joined by former teammates John Starks and Allan Houston in the front row.