Jalen Brunson tries to curb excitement in New York: "Not until it's over"

The Madison Square Garden will once again host an NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, and the city of New York is already in a basketball frenzy for Game 3 of the showdown between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

Celebrities, musicians, and thousands of fans are gearing up for a historic night where the Knicks will try to move one step closer to a title that has eluded them since 1973. However, amidst the excitement surrounding them, Jalen Brunson insists on staying calm and not taking anything for granted.

The Knicks return home with a 2-0 lead in the series after a tight 105-104 victory in the second game. Despite history being on their side, Brunson believes that the team still has a lot of work ahead and pointed out that the Spurs showed in the last game why they made it to the Finals. The point guard admitted that his team let go of a significant lead and cannot afford to make the same mistakes.

“I think we need to play better with the lead we had, those 14 points. The way they reacted and took the lead shows how good they are,” explained the Knicks' leader when analyzing what happened in the second game of the series.

The excitement surrounding the team is immense, and many are already dreaming of seeing the franchise lift the trophy. However, Brunson made it clear that he is not willing to be distracted by everything happening around them. When asked if he allowed himself to enjoy the historic moment the organization was going through, his response was as brief as it was resolute: “Not until it's over.”

The point guard also discussed comparisons with Kobe Bryant and the influence of the well-known “Mamba Mentality.” While acknowledging certain similarities in how they approach competition and the philosophy of the legendary Lakers' guard, he emphasized that a significant part of his mindset stems from the upbringing he received at home and the work put in throughout his career.

“I believe that the way I behave and do things is a reflection of how my parents raised me. But I also think that part of that philosophy aligns with the Mamba Mentality, so there is a connection. I try to stay present in the moment. Do what's necessary to prepare my mind. Be mentally and physically ready every day. Trust in my work. That's what brought me here,” he stated.

Brunson's importance for the Knicks is evident both on and off the court. Although he hasn't delivered a dominant performance in these Finals yet and his shooting percentages are below his usual standards, the Spurs continue to focus a significant portion of their defensive efforts on limiting his influence. His impact on the game remains palpable even when the numbers don't align.

In fact, Mike Brown recalled a 2022 experience that demonstrates the respect Brunson has commanded throughout the NBA for years. When he was part of the coaching staff of the Golden State Warriors and preparing for the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, the current Knicks' coach was very clear about who concerned him the most.

“As the defensive coordinator, when we entered that series, my concern wasn't Luka Doncic, it was Jalen. We put Draymond Green on Jalen. That's the level of concern we had. We needed a player who was bigger, stronger, and tougher to try to stop him,” confessed Brown.

One of the teammates who understands Brunson's mentality best is OG Anunoby. The forward highlighted the point guard's ability to always maintain the same attitude regardless of whether he is having a good or bad night shooting. According to him, this emotional stability is one of the key factors that have made Brunson the ultimate leader of the team.

NY Madness for the Return of the NBA Finals

Meanwhile, the return of the Finals to the Madison Square Garden has sparked a huge controversy over ticket prices. The demand has reached historical levels, and many fans who have been waiting for an opportunity like this for years will not be able to afford attending the game. This situation was publicly lamented by Josh Hart on the eve of the third game.

“I feel that many people who have been waiting for this moment for a long time, unfortunately, cannot enter the arena when the cheapest ticket costs seven or eight thousand dollars. It's insane. The atmosphere will be incredible, but I wish they were a bit cheaper,” stated the shooting guard.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jalen Brunson intenta frenar la euforia en Nueva York: “No hasta que termine”