If the New York Knicks plan on winning the NBA Finals, they'll need All-Star guard and team leader Jalen Brunson to play the best basketball of his career. For NBA legend and analyst Charles Barkley, if Brunson manages to succeed in winning a title for the Knicks, it will cement one thing in NBA history.
Appearing on Pardon The Interruption ahead of Game 1 yesterday, Barkley declared that if Brunson can deliver a title to the Knicks, it would make him the greatest free agent signing in NBA history - surpassing LeBron's moves to Miami, Kevin Durant to the Warriors and others.
"If he's able to deliver a championship to New York, it'll be the greatest free agent signing in NBA history."
Barkley argued that expectations of the Knicks after the Brunson signing were very low and that Brunson has instead turned the team into a perennial contender that can win an NBA Finals after decades of never coming close.
A number of NBA fans disagreed with Barkley, pointing out that LeBron and KD were more immediate impact stars. But others feel that Barkley is right on the money:
"Best free agency signing? Ok guy," one user wrote.
"Agreed 100% with Barkley on this! And he, Brunson, may just do that! And let's not forget the fine job New York Coach, Mike Brown, is doing," wrote another.
"LeBron to Miami. LeBron to Cleveland (2014), KD to Golden State?" a third remarked.
"How quickly we forget about the Raptors & Kyle Lowry."
Brunson in Game 1
In Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Brunson struggled with his accuracy for most of the game, finishing just 12 of 31 but logging a game-best 30 points. His 13 points in the fourth quarter allowed the Knicks to erase a deficit to the Spurs and win the game 105-95.
The win marked New York's first Game 1 win in the NBA Finals since 1973, when they won it all.
And that wasn't even Brunson's best game.
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