Jalen Brunson left over $100 million on the table by signing his four-year contract extension with the Knicks on Friday, which Marc Malusis says is the latest step for New York in putting the final pieces together for a championship team.
For Brunson himself, his “unprecedented” contract decision only furthers his status as one of the most beloved athletes in New York, and bringing the Knicks a long-awaited championship would put him among the most legendary sports figures the city has ever seen.
“For Brunson, the only thing left for a guy that has become an absolute superstar in this city is to win a chip. That’s it,” Moose said. “Go out there and win an NBA title.”
Moose says the Knicks are capable of accomplishing that feat behind Brunson, especially after acquiring Mikal Bridges for five first-round picks. Moose doesn’t care about Bridges’ lack of All-Star selections. He says the Villanova product fits the Tom Thibodeau mold, and fits this Knicks team, and could be the final piece the organization has been looking for.
“We are here. This is the enjoyable time,” Moose said. “These are the pressure times, the expectation times. It’s no longer about building something, or making it appealing for another player to come in and be that final piece. The final piece is really Mikal Bridges. And Bridges works.
“I don’t care that he wasn’t an All-Star. I really don’t. Those who play that game and that nonsense have no idea what they’re talking about. It’s about a team. It’s about the culture you’re trying to build. Winning comes along with it. bringing in guys who get it, who aren’t gonna get in the way regardless of their talent level, who are gonna buy into the coaching…those are the guys you want. That’s exactly what the Knicks have.”