Jalen Brunson now has a record of 11-3 against Donovan Mitchell in the playoffs
Source
Although the Knicks were favorites this series the Cavs were favorites in 2023 and the Jazz opened as favorites in 2022 due to Luka Doncic’s injury
Say the line, say the line
Everyone’s better than Jalen Brunson until it’s time to be better than Jalen Brunson.
I thought Thunder fans coined this one tbh
Nah p sure it was Eagles fans with Jalen Hurts
No this is Mahomes after his 2023 run
People probably said this about Jesus lmao
Everyone’s more godly than Jesus Christ until it’s time to be more godly than Jesus Christ.
They gonna crucify you for this take
It was actually the first guy to discover fire who started it. Billy Joel wrote a song about it
The Pharisees were so injured in that series it’s hard to really fault them
[deleted]
It was actually for Jalen Hurts a year ago
Fuck off
Insane that people were saying “Tyrese Maxey” is better than Brunson earlier this season
Top 3 guard easily
And it might be blasphemous but he has an argument for top 2
I don’t know who you take over him at point guard.
For as hated as he is, SGA is still a MVP level Point Guard
We’ll see if JB can beat him in a week or two
Oh, I guess he is their point guard. Always saw him as more of a 2
Sga and Luka are currently above him in general rankings
I’d rather have Brunson because of Luka’s injuries. That’s how close it is between them. If Luka’s fully healthy it’s still him above Brunson, but with the injuries (and the contract too is a factor,) it shifts to Brunson for me.
Idk I love Brunson but I guess I don’t like including value by contract in player rankings. I personally think Luka is the best pg in the league so take that with a grain.
When you’re deciding between great players, you need to split hairs. If Brunson wasn’t already fantastic, the contract would not play a part at all. But deciding between he and Luka is, for me, about splitting hairs rn. I’d take healthy Luka over him, but Luka’s been so injured the past couple seasons I’d rather have Brunson who I know will play at an elite level and actually play.
SGA at Number 1 either way for me though. Haliburton rounds out the top four with a pretty decent gap after him for me.
Fairs
Luka is better as the #1 for a heliocentric offense than Brunson but tbh after seeing Brunson be able to play more of an off ball role ala Steph curry he makes an offense more versatile in than luka as that’s been one of Luka’s biggest weaknesses with him having no movement without the ball. So
I’d rather have Brunson that Luka. Fight me about it
I mean Luka is just a better player, but Brunson is awesome too and he’s your guy so you shouldn’t want anyone else. Take it from me, I live in Dallas and we used to have both of them, it was nice.
I’m a fan of the Lakers and Knicks (I’ve lived in both NYC and LA– r/nba has dual flairs like r/nfl and r/cfb when?) I would rather have Brunson purely for contract reasons. Luka’s on a discount max but Brunson is being paid the third most on his team.
Luka and SGA easily
SGA / Luka. If you just need to win one single game curry.
End of list I think.
Im biased but Cade
Nope, luka is still much better
lmao its insane how I am being mass downvoted, maybe saying “much” better was wrong but it isnt wrong to say that SGA and Luka are Tier 1 currently, JB is better than curry though imo
“Much” will be a stretch to people but it’s not controversial at all to say that they’re still not quite on the same tier.
i wouldnt say much better but yes Luka is that dude.
Sure in iso ball but JB makes the offense much harder to guard than Luka does with his flexibility to play on and off ball. I don’t think we’d be as good if we swapped players
I remember saying that JB is better than Current Steph Curry(can’t say Steph no more cause of Castlegoat) and ppl downvoted the shit out of me for it.
Earlier this month they were saying that lol
you can find stupid people saying literally anything on the internet, its gonna drive you crazy thinking they represent reality lol
The amount of people trying to rewrite recent history these playoffs is so fucking funny.
It wasn’t some small segment of Philly fans, it was major media analysts and the majority of this sub! Like Philly having the best 2 players in the series was not a minority take from the general public or media.
It’s a hell of a thing killing a man. You take away all he’s got, and all he’s ever gonna have.
Jalen Brunson is Donovan Mitchell father
Everyone is better than Jalen Brunson until they put down the bong.
Let’s see his playoff record against Hali then
I remember the hype of Donovan to NY trades and how Brunson was considered the “consolation prize,” but the real target was Mitchell. I definitely thought that at the time. Things move fast.
We got Brunson first, technically. But then everybody started saying that you couldn’t have two short guards and be a good team so we should stop obsessing over Brunson.
I for one and happy that they obsessed over Brunson.
Cavs are kind of a cautionary tale of why you don’t want to have your two best players both be guards (unless one in Steph Curry)
The whole idea from the beginning was for Mobley to become the best player on the team. While he certainly hasn’t lived up to it for the past few years he’s had a really impressive postseason. Unfortunately it’s probably too late for this core and they’ll likely make a lot of changes this offseason barring some unforeseen competitiveness in this series
He’s so scary when he’s on but then he completely disappears. Is he like that in the regular season too?
It’s odd because he does have an issue with consistent aggressiveness but it’s hard to blame him entirely. It feels at times, especially late in games, the guards just completely shut both him and Allen out on offense
Definitely something to this. I would say generally if the big men aren’t scoring, it’s a sign the opportunities are either not there or not being capitalized on by the guards. Those dudes are dependent offensive players, especially going up against good defenders so it’s often not necessarily about them.
So often I feel like I see a big man will get a decent amount of points earlier in the game and then we wonder why they stopped giving it to him. It feels like some of the easier PnR scoring chances diminish as the game goes on. But then you also had game 7 of the Pistons series where the coaches, maybe, told Mitchell and Harden they had a ton of drop off opportunities available and the bigs were able to eat off those passes.
You think they trade one of the bigs for a 3&d wing? If they change roster construction I see them going small to create space for the guards.
Maybe, but it’s hard to trade for big 3&D wings without giving up a ton of capital. It’s going to be an interesting offseason for the front office that’s for sure
You guys are 4 wins away from the finals and in the second apron. If not now then when? And I agree wings are expensive but look at our team. We would be nowhere without og, mikal and Josh. We traded for all 3 of them. I’m sure there’s going to be a big market for mobley.
I guess it just depends how much they believe in Mobley and how badly they want to retain him. According to recent reporting looks like the Cavs turned down the Giannis deal because they wanted Mobley and shit ton of picks.
And you also had all your picks to move for those wings. Cavs had to give up a lot of picks for Mitchell
Jarrett Allen for LeBron
Pretty sure they’re a second apron team and can’t receive players in sign and trades. Not 100% sure though.
Well also Klay was a excellent defender in his prime and the whole starting lineup could defend to make up for Curry
Brunson was seen like “man we already have this toy but the better one just released now what do we do?”
I’m sio happy that the FO sticked to their guns and just let Brunson flourish in NY at his own pace.
Danny Ainge saved us from ourselves
There were Reports we offer es RJ, MitchRob and three firsts iirc and Ainge said no
Donovan says he knows what happened with that trade but couldn’t reveal
Hilarious how Mitchell fans kept putting him over Brunson in player rankings when baby Brunson bodied him FOUR years ago in the playoffs
I think is just pretty privilege, Mitchell always finds a way to escape criticism on his teams while Brunson is just putting his team’s on his back no matter what in the playoffs.
this dont scan with me, brunson is the cutest man in the world
His big head has something I can’t explain…
Well if Gobert would get out of his way the Cavs would have title.
It’s because he plays in cities like Salt Lake City and Cleveland
In Utah, Gobert took the brunt of the criticism after their losses regularly.
When we beat the Cavs it was on Allen and Mobley.
This year people are piling up on a geriatric Harden.
Gobert took all the blame when the teams gameplay for defense was literally just put Gobert in a 1v5 meanwhile everyone else just kinda waved their hands menacingly.
The ringer ranked thing still has mitchell above brunson im pretty sure lmfao.
Not that anybody takes that thing seriously, but its just like the biggest “official” aggregate player ranking list when u look up best nba players.
This postseason should change that again lol
Mitchell is like Jamal Murray, everyone always talks about the great playoff series but no one brings up the times he’s shit.
There’s a reason he’s had like 7 all star teammates in his career and still has failed to do anything in the playoffs.
Yeah I’d argue that Brunson’s playoff Knickstint has been almost as valuable as a star as every other top 5 player on the NBA, the dude just puts his head down and produces day in and day out.
Can’t wait for next year when The Ringer puts Mitchell over Brunson again because he dunks good.
I can already see their asinine summaries.
Mitchell: “A high flier who can jump through the roof & you can only watch.”
Brunson: “Somehow chugging along despite being undersized; he tries.”
Add an “I guess” to the end and it’s perfect
Every time I get caught up in the Ringer’s flashy presentation and actually decent prose I quickly get reminded that it’s a Bill Simmons rag and it’s always gonna be a Bill Simmons rag
This series just confirms there’s zero chance LeBron is going back to Cleveland. he ain’t making up for two soft big men in Allen and Mobley and a 2 guard whose highs and low are so drastic
It’s more of fit thing than anything.
I don’t see how anyone sees them constantly fail to get back on defense and thinks “you what we need? MORE guys who will be retired by 2028.”
Also crazy that the solution your GM thought for a mid guard defense (Mitchell and Garland) is another mid guard defense in Harden. What was the thought process in that lol.
The thought process is they were over the second apron and limited in what they could do?
I’d rather have Harden for the next two years or so unless they pay him something insane, and in two years Garland’s contract is up. They instantly had the most success they’ve had since Bron. Trade was fine. It wasn’t the move to get them over the top, but that move realistically wasn’t going to involve Garland getting value. He’s paid an insane amount, can’t stay healthy, and was significantly worse defensively in the playoffs than Harden was this year (up until this series, unfortunately)
I meant a different guard archetype who is a little more defense-oriented. Trading Garland was very fine for me. That said, i understand better
Lebron fits everywhere though. What he really needs is a team with depth which the Cavs are struggling with rn. Also was Ty Jerome that huge for your bench? I feel like he was a huge piece for the Cavs bench scoring and energy. Doesn’t help that Shroeder has been bad
Allen and Mobley have both been really good this playoffs WTF are people watching?
Mitchell/Harden are letting them down
Anyone still calling Mobley/Allen soft after this playoff run is not actually watching basketball
This is my takeaway as well. Allen has done a great job on the offensive glass, and Mobley has been good on both ends of the floor.
Meanwhile, Harden has been a disaster and Mitchell has been “1 quarter on, 3 quarters off” the entire series.
Current LeBron is the last thing we need with this current roster. We have nobody that can matchup with players like OG and Bridges.
This.
Having two all-stars is always important for matchups, but the biggest diff in my eyes is having two elite 2-way wings in the starting lineup.
There’s a reason why NY gave up so many assets for both.
funny enough , the start of that plan was to be able to match up with Boston
Cavs are desperate, expect a dumb move this offseason
the roster is hopeless, they will never win. Might as well get lebron for nostalgia bait
Idk his mere presence can elevate a team who knows lol
Mitchell gonna pout he aint the “star”
Effort is not the problem with Mobley. Kinda nuts to compare him to Ayton.
He also led the team in scoring tonight so I feel like we’re kind of just falling back on narratives rather than critically analyzing what we’re seeing
What does that even mean? He averaged 18 and 9. LeBron would retire because he couldn’t get Mobley to average 2 more points and 1 more rebound?
Mobley is not the problem on this Cavs team. LeBron would need someone like him to have his back on defense.
Well that and there’s no way in hell Bron would ever play with Harden lol. Don’t know why that never gets brought up, but Hardens style would drive Bron insane
wtf are you talking about lol
Lebron would fit so well on this team tbh
Can Cavs give Bron beard wig and Harden jersey? They’ll be indistinguishable.
Lebron only really cares about the money. He doesn’t care about winning you should know that considering he joined a bad Laker team.
He ended Don’s career in Utah. Definitely quit before the series ended vs the Mavs.
Brunson took his dream of playing for the Knicks away from him and owns him every time
Lowkey nasty work by JB. Cooked Mitch and sent him to Cleveland, where even LeBron hates going and he’s from there
All while stealing his one-day dream of being the King of New York
Only a raptors fan makes some comment like this
Way to attack the flair instead of the substance. Don’t get swept!
Just typical Toronto fan taking jabs at Cleveland - nothing new
Lowkey reminds me of MJ becoming the guy in Chicago even though Isiah was the hometown kid
The Jazz were already kind of seen as a “missed the window” team at that point though. I think the Don’s chance to win in Utah ended when Pandemic P and Terrance Mann snatched the Jazz’s soul when they couldn’t beat the Kawhi-less Clippers
Bruh Luka missed like the first 2 or 3 games of that series and JB just whooped the Jazz because Donovan quit. And this was before JB was a star.
The man took his team, his place in the Knicks pantheon of greats, and then whooped his ass continuously in the playoffs through two different conferences. Damn.
I love D Mitch, but you have been submitted brother. No more Kumite for you.
3 years in 4 we have absolutely shit on Cleveland
Dates all the way back to the Randle and Barrett team. NY simply just has their number
Dates back to Mark Price/Brad Daugherty teams
Once the Knicks feel they can out-dawg you, it’s blood on the water for the team.
Brunson’s statement moment in Dallas was sonning Mitchell in the West playoffs without Luka before he came to the Knicks too lol
Wait didn’t we just play them in 22⁄23 round 1?
What were the other years?
Utah vs Dallas
Am I going through a dementia phase, where’s the 3rd year?
you’re experiencing dementia, my memory is flawless, don’t look their playoff history up
2 of 4 years. Don’t exaggerate.
If only he were 4 inches taller, then he would be good.
I agree. A 6’6” Donovan Mitchell might actually be a top 10 player in the league.
Not sure why Cavs thought 37 year old James Harden would be the answer to this
Because he actually plays and they guy they had before didn’t
I love Garland, but he’s got $90m left on his deal, is constantly hurt and was also hunted to death on defense
yeah worst case scenario they cut Harden for only 13m guaranteed next season.
now, i wont like the decision if they extend Harden like Windhorst is saying is a done deal. but i really liked the move to get them out of a salary cap dilemma
Harden wants a 1+1
Garland wants 3+
That was a huge reason for the trade.
They’ll extend him but probably for less than Garland was going to make
He’s also not good in the playoffs
Can we be forreal. Harden is +11 for them these entire playoffs
Mitchell is -6 and Mobley is -14
And the real kicker is that that absolutely matches the eye test. They are playing full on CTE hoops without Harden on the court it’s embarassing
Exactly why I said I don’t know why they thought harden would be the answer. They were broken to begin with.
I mean, they did go farther than they have before and looked much better when he initially joined. It’s not like they look worse, before Harden they also didn’t do well in the playoffs.
Exactly why I said why did they think an aging star would cure their problems, they’re so flawed. Harden could come in with the most positive energy and best game he could have as a soon to be 37 year old (38 year old?); he’s not the same player he once was to have a big offensive impact, and will likely negatively impact your defense and locker room
I mean they did get farther with him
What has James Harden done in the playoffs that Garland couldn’t do
Also keep in mind they now have a 37 year old guard who is a playoff liability vs a 26 year old who has been a health liability but has proven talent
They literally made the ECF because of that move what are we talking about here
They took 2 teams who were in the lottery last year to 7 games, about to get swept, and have the highest payroll in the NBA…
The Pistons made the playoffs last year…
Oh sorry forgot, because they hadn’t been since 2008
Who else do you guys think they were being offered for Garland
As a raptors fan probably Quickley
Would much rather IQ than Harden even if he hasn’t lived up to his contract and has been injured a lot this year
Harden sucks the life out of every single org he’s been with since leaving the Rockets
JB is a few tiers above Mitchell r/nba can hate it, Its is what it is.
Mitchell always great in the playoffs when its dont really matter just watch he dropping 40 game 4 i just trust brunson more
Is he still better than Jalen Brunson
It is wild how much he abused Donovan tonight but people aren’t really making a big deal out of it. Huh.
Brunson started hunting Mitchell instead of harden down the stretch too since harden was actually playing solid d
Harden was playing fine overall the first game too, just the 4th and overtime he got hunted to oblivion. Brunson is just so good at hunting the mismatch, it feels like it’s always going in lol
It’s not hard the Cavs don’t try. Not one player on their team fights over a screen to play defense they switch every single time no matter how terrible the screen is.
Donovan “His city now” Mitchell can’t deal with actual city players
Top five PGs in the league:
STOP THE COUNT
Harper over Steph?
Luka is a forward (and better than all these guys anyway)
If Luka is a forward, then Magic is a center lol. Luka is better, but not a better PG because he’s a ball hog. Ball hogs are not true PGs. They’re combo guards like SGA. They are also not PGs If they’re not floor generals. Curry is also not a PG
Man, I feel like this is recency bias because he’s not in the playoffs currently, but in what universe is Brunson a better PG. I LOVE Brunson but Luka is a generational passer. Kind of crazy not calling Luka a floor general too
So you think brunson is not a ball hog and better pg than luka?
Magic was every position, that’s why he was magic :P
Curry is also not a PG
You lost me.
He was traded for an aging Anthony Davis. He can’t be that good.
Jalen “Jalen Brunson” Brunson
Marc Spears in shambles.
Never forget Steven A Smith cried about not getting Mitchell and getting Brunson
This guy is definitely a bot account. All you’re missing are the em dashes that go with every ChatGPT ass response. What the fuck is this?
Could be worse. Could be someone who’s such a loser they asked chatgpt what a good quip would be to post on this reddit thread
did u come up with this urself or
SAY THE MFING LINEEEEE
I’m just so happy that people are finally talking about what us Knicks fans already knew. This man Brunson is arguably, if not certainly top 3 in one of the most saturated positions in the league. So proud of him and the whole team this year man.
Ppl forget brunson outperformed playoff jimmy during his peak playoff jimmy run
Watching the Cavs this makes me wonder how Mitchell won 3 games