New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives past Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Although Jalen Brunson pulled off a miraculous NBA Finals victory, one NBA analyst still has players that they would pick before him in a social media video for Run It Back. Michelle Beadle played a game where she was asked if Jalen Brunson was better than the listed NBA players. She picked against Brunson in her first selection, where the reigning Finals MVP was left after Beadle selected De'Aaron Fox.
Michelle Beadle reveals who she would take over Jalen Brunson!
Do you agree? 🤔
(via @RunItBackFDTV) pic.twitter.com/AaTblwDuX1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 23, 2026
“Oh, come on, dude, you're going to start with my point guard,” she said. “I'm not playing this game, De'Aaron Fox.”
Loyalty to the Spurs aside, she then chose Cade Cunningham over Brunson.
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Question 1 of 4
Which Pistons coach orchestrated the 2004 NBA Finals upset over the star-packed Lakers by leaning on defense, discipline, and team basketball?
“Here's the problem: Brunson is so clutch…..Cade.”
Her choosing Cunningham and Fox over Brunson is further highlighted by the fact that she chose Brunson over Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, Donovan Mitchell, and Devon Booker. The only other player that she chose over Brunson was new Philadelphia 76ers forward Jaylen Brown.
Brunson averaged 26 points, 6.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and shot 36.9% from three-point range in the regular season. He stepped up to the occasion in the postseason for the Knicks, averaging 28.4 points, 6.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in his 19-game run with his team that ultimately resulted in a huge and historic NBA championship victory.
Now, as the Knicks look to repeat as NBA champions in a reloaded Eastern Conference that includes a strengthened 76ers team and a new-look Miami Heat squad led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brunson now has another motivation to win: proving Michelle Beadle and the rest of his naysayers that are still around wrong.