The New York Knicks have taken on the mantra of the Nova Knicks in recent years. All of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart won a championship together in college as teammates on Villanova. The former two were even two-time national champions, and Brunson was named the player of the year during his time as a Wildcat.
This extended history together has led to one of the most cohesive teams in the NBA. The ex-collegiate teammates have great chemistry and exchange constant friendly banter, and that has played a huge part in the team not only making it to the NBA Finals, but going up 2-0 on the San Antonio Spurs. Two more wins would mean the Knicks would be crowned champions for the first time since 1973.
Basketball fans have grown to not only respect the Knicks' on-court gameplay, but love the off-the-court bond the players share together, too. Hart, in particular, has gone viral on multiple occasions for making fun of (out of love) his team's point guard. That has continued during interviews during the NBA Finals.
“I thought he was an entitled, privileged five-star recruit, [and] I wasn't really a fan,” Hart joked about his first impression of Brunson. “It's is kind of the same now. People think that I'm the childish one, but he is like the annoying friend… He is probably the most annoying person I know behind the cameras.”
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“He's the most annoying person I know.” 😂
Josh Hart and his “DEFAULT” best friend, Jalen Brunson, will take the court for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on National Best Friends Day! pic.twitter.com/jchUhA6qcp
— NBA (@NBA) June 8, 2026
When asked when he realized that Brunson was his best friend, Hart again joked, “My best friend? I don't know if he is my best friend. It is kind of hard not to be because I see him every day, so I think it is more by default.”
Brunson and Hart clearly share a special bond that goes beyond basketball. After all, mockery is the sincerest form of friendship. It just might help contribute to a championship victory.
The New York Knicks have taken on the mantra of the Nova Knicks in recent years. All of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart won a championship together in college as teammates on Villanova. The former two were even two-time national champions, and Brunson was named the player of the year during his time as a Wildcat.