Brunson’s Next Leap: How the Knicks Star Can Thrive Under Mike Brown
The bar has never been higher for Jalen Brunson. Fresh off a career-best season that cemented his status as one of the NBA’s premier guards, Brunson now faces a new challenge. Not an opponent in the Eastern Conference, but a shift in philosophy under incoming head coach Mike Brown. The Knicks’ leader will need to adapt if he wants to expand his game because he must find new ways to dominate in a system designed to be faster, more versatile, and even more unpredictable.
Brunson’s brilliance last season was built on precision and poise. He thrived in isolation, breaking down defenses with a deliberate pace that left defenders guessing and opposing coaches scrambling. His footwork in the midrange was surgical, and his ability to create something out of nothing was the Knicks’ lifeline in countless games. However, Brown’s system, rooted in ball movement, spacing, and defensive intensity, will demand more fluidity. Brunson won’t just be asked to score; he’ll be expected to be the engine that keeps the ball humming. That means quicker decisions, more off-ball movement, and reading defenses not just for his shot, but for the advantage that leads to the next pass.
One key area for growth will be Brunson’s three-point volume. While he’s a capable shooter, Brown’s system will likely emphasize stretching defenses further and forcing opponents to guard him 25 feet from the hoop instead of just at the arc. A deeper, more frequent outside shot could open up driving lanes not just for Brunson, but for the Knicks’ wings and bigs. Mike Brown has a history of past teams, from the Cavaliers to the Kings, when their primary playmaker could pull defenses apart with range. Brunson has the touch to make that leap.
Defensively, Brunson will also be pushed to a new level. Mike Brown’s calling card is turning his guards into tone-setters on the perimeter, hounding ball-handlers, and disrupting passing lanes. For Brunson, that means not just holding his own against elite guards, but becoming a more active, disruptive presence. The kind of defender who can trigger fast breaks with a single deflection. The Knicks’ offense may start with Brunson, but under Brown, their defense could too.
This will also require Brunson to embrace conditioning and endurance on a different scale. Brown’s style rewards teams that can keep their energy high into the fourth quarter, pushing pace while maintaining defensive discipline. Brunson has never been one to shy away from big minutes. However, thriving in this system means being at peak form night after night, especially with the Eastern Conference as competitive as ever.
If Brunson can embrace this evolution, quicker pace, expanded range, defensive disruption, and enhanced stamina, he won’t just maintain his all-star status; he could become a more complete, more dangerous force than ever before. Mike Brown’s system is built for players who can think, move, and adapt on the fly. Brunson has already proven he can lead. Now, it’s about proving he can lead in a whole new way. Next season, the Knicks’ fortunes will hinge on whether their star point guard can take yet another step forward. The pieces are in place. The system is coming, and for Jalen Brunson, the opportunity to rise even higher is right in front of him.
