The New York Knicks have been superb over the past five games, and that is down to a well-rounded effort from the team. However, they always need a star player to step up, and that has been Jalen Brunson.
Not only is he having good performances, but he is also doing something quite underrated. That is about how he can calm everyone's nerves down, which is a big part of how point guards succeed in high-pressure situations in the NBA.
Mike Brown gives a superb review for Jalen Brunson's poise
Now that the Knicks are up 3-0 against the Philadelphia 76ers, they are in the driver's seat for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year in a row. The Knicks are the favorites to reach the NBA Finals, and that is because of Brunson's stardom and leadership.
The Knicks are quite a talented bunch, as seen by how talented the roster is. With players like OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns, they still need a leader who can take charge and control the game.
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Brunson has been doing that since he arrived in New York. He embraced being the star player, and his leadership has been impressive. His teammates are not the only ones who benefit from the control he provides because head coach Mike Brown is also appreciative of Brunson's impact.
"What's the dude's name on Snoopy? Linus? He got a blanket? I'm Linus, and Jalen's my blanket. He helps me relax at a lot of different times throughout the course of games, but that's what great players do," Brown said about Brunson's control of games.
Moving forward, the Knicks will continue to be one of the strongest teams in the league. Brunson's leadership is a big part of that, and that should pay off in the long run because everyone is in the right mindset when playing.
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