Jalen Brunson is an All-Star.
You don’t need to wait for the official announcement to know this. It’s obvious.
“He’s a starter over [Milwaukee’s Damian] Lillard, in my opinion,” one Eastern Conference assistant said earlier this week. “He’s the best player on a really good team.”
Brunson and the Knicks just finished their best four-week stretch in 30 years.
The 26-year-old enters play Thursday ranked 12th in scoring (26.8 points per game). He’s shooting 42.2 percent from beyond the arc (second-highest 3PT FG percentage among the NBA’s top 12 scorers).
Brunson is the point guard on one of the best starting units in the NBA.
He’s going to be on the court Feb. 18 in Indianapolis.
The announcement from Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith tonight is just a formality.
Consider it another goal reached for Brunson, whose play and presence have changed everything for the Knicks.
But don’t expect Brunson to have much time to celebrate before tonight’s game against the Pacers.
“Definitely a goal of mine,” Brunson said earlier this week when asked about the All-Star game. “But most important thing is how we handle business, day in, day out. Obviously that’s an individual goal. But as long as we win, I think individual stuff comes our way.”
NYK EDGE ON BUYOUT MARKET
The Knicks have a slight financial edge in the buyout market this season. They are one of 11 teams that still have their full $4.5 million bi-annual exception. New York can use the exception to sign veterans who are bought out.
Only four of the 11 teams with the full bi-annual exception are currently in playoff position. Those four teams are the Knicks, Timberwolves, Pelicans and Mavericks.
