The New York Knicks find themselves winning over past legends during their NBA Finals return. Jalen Brunson going off on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 sparked some debates. League legend Gary Payton hopped into the Brunson argument, including revealing who he'd take over him.
“The Glove” only cited two players he would choose over the NYK sharpshooter while speaking on the “Game Over” podcast released Thursday. One happens to be a Golden State Warriors teammate of his son Gary Payton II. The other outside of Steph Curry is Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.
“Steph Curry would make a lot of baskets and a lot of shots. He's coming off picks. He's going to be big time,” Payton explained.
He likes how Edwards can “jump out the gym and can do a lot of things.”
Gary Payton says Steph Curry and Anthony Edwards are the ONLY players he’s taking over Jalen Brunson right now:
(Via Game Over) pic.twitter.com/3rzN8Bv2YW
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) June 4, 2026
The past NBA Finals champ with the Miami Heat is a fan of Brunson's game, though. Payton got to see the action inside the Frost Bank Center Arena on Wednesday evening. But again, he watched Brunson's brilliance on display.
Article Continues Below
The Knicks sharpshooter first overcame a brief knee injury that saw him leave to the locker room momentarily. Then he briefly twisted his ankle and grimaced in pain.
Yet the veteran fought through both to deliver an epic Finals debut. The left-handed shooter helped energize the Knicks' rally from being down by 14. Brunson hit the physical Spurs with step back jumpers and cutting inside to finish off the layup. But he stuck the dagger in with under two minutes left, sparking the 11-0 run to end the game here:
JALEN BRUNSON FOR THE LEAD 🎯
He has 28 points as the Knicks lead by 2 late in the 4th quarter.pic.twitter.com/lfE4XaK8QL
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 4, 2026
Brunson can join Payton in the echelon of roundball legends by winning the series. And maybe catapult himself past Curry and Edwards.
The New York Knicks find themselves winning over past legends during their NBA Finals return. Jalen Brunson going off on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 sparked some debates. League legend Gary Payton hopped into the Brunson argument, including revealing who he'd take over him.