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ESPN’s Tim Legler takes accountability for being wrong about Knicks’ Jalen Brunson

By Jordanna Clark

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 31: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates after scoring during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 130-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 31: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates after scoring during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 31, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 130-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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There were plenty of naysayers when the New York Knicks signed Jalen Brunson to a four-year, $104 million deal in free agency. He wasn’t good enough to warrant that contract, he wouldn’t be able to perform without Luka Doncic, he would fail on one of the biggest stages in the NBA. All of those critiques (and plenty more) have been proven wrong.

Brunson went from being overpaid to being underpaid real quick. The 26-year-old is averaging a career-high 24 points and a career-high 6.2 assists while shooting 49.1% from the field and another career-high 41.6% from three. While Julius Randle’s ascension back to All-Stardom has helped to elevate New York back to being a playoff team this season, Brunson’s addition has made the biggest difference.

He somehow wasn’t named an All-Star reserve and most likely won’t be named All-NBA, but Brunson has turned into a far different player than many thought he would be. That includes ESPN’s Tim Legler, who was recently a guest on JJ Redick’s ‘Old Man and the Three’ podcast.

ESPN’s Tim Legler praises Knicks’ Jalen Brunson on JJ Redick’s podcast

Tim Legler held himself accountable for miscalculating how good Jalen Brunson would be by saying:

"“I missed by as wide a degree as any player I’ve covered in my career as a broadcaster the ceiling for a player as I have with Jalen Brunson.”"

Legler called Brunson a “great college player” and he admitted that he wasn’t sure if Brunson could be a starting point guard for a good team. He called Brunson “sensational” for what he did in Dallas, but he still questioned Brunson’s ceiling after he signed with New York in free agency. He talked about Brunson potentially being a 16-18 PPG scorer, but he’s exceeded even that expectation.

At least Legler didn’t dismiss Brunson altogether when he signed with the Knicks, which is what many did. It was chalked up to being nothing more than another failure by New York’s front office, but now the failure lies with Dallas for not re-signing Brunson to a four-year, $55 million deal when the team had the chance.

If NBA fans somehow still aren’t paying attention to Jalen Brunson, he and the Knicks will be a team to watch when the playoffs start. Remember what he did last year for the Mavericks? Expect that plus more.

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