On Tuesday morning, the New York Knicks made an important announcement about Jalen Brunson. For the first time since the 2018-19 season, the Knicks have a captain.
A few weeks ago, Brunson took a massive pay cut and signed a four-year, $156 million extension. The point guard taking less money is key to the Knicks avoiding the dreadful second tax apron. The collective bargaining agreement harshly penalizes teams, but thanks to Brunson, New York has more financial flexibility.
In the 27-year-old's first two seasons with the Knicks, he has far exceeded expectations. He led the team to back-to-back playoff appearances, earned his first All-Star honor, and made the All-NBA Second Team. Brunson's New York resume isn't bad for a second-round pick.
It's no surprise that the Knicks gave Brunson the captain honor.
Jalen Brunson Named 36th Captain in Franchise History pic.twitter.com/D94U5h43JL
โ NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) August 6, 2024
Knicks Twitter reacts to Jalen Brunson earning captain honor
The tweet of the day goes to Josh Hart. You know he wouldn't let the news pass without being unserious.
Captain @jalenbrunson1 https://t.co/FGdR5UhwZV pic.twitter.com/KGItV3lAqV
โ Josh Hart (@joshhart) August 6, 2024
Knicks superfan Ben Stiller also supports Captain Brunson!
๐ซก๐ซก๐ซก https://t.co/oT1ojVAAlR
โ Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) August 6, 2024
Brooke Rose, Leon Rose's daughter, shared an old picture of her and Brunson on her Instagram story.
.@broookeleah on IG:
โ Daily Knicks (@DailyKnicksFS) August 6, 2024
Captain JJ!!!! ๐๐งก
๐ฅน pic.twitter.com/q5ktMmTcLr
Remember when Brunson arrived in New York and said he isn't a savior? It turns out that he lied.
OUR CAPTAIN. pic.twitter.com/jQEhI96sux
โ The Strickland (@TheStrickland) August 6, 2024
Even the infamous NBA Paint account got in on the fun and created a picture with Brunson, Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, and Mikal Bridges.
Captain Brunson and the friend-ship. pic.twitter.com/bl171G7ctp
โ nba paint (@nba_paint) August 6, 2024
Brunson probably doesn't like the attention he's receiving on social media, but he deserves it. His first tweet acknowledging the honor will probably be about Hart's salute. Expect to see a quote tweet about that.
In less than two months, New York will have Media Day and head to Charleston for training camp. After that, preseason basketball will start. In two and a half months, the regular season will begin. Soon enough, the NBA will drop every team's schedule. The anticipation of seeing Brunson and Co. back on the court is building!