Before the 2026 NBA Finals began, many were already talking about Jalen Brunson becoming the greatest New York Knicks player of all time if he led the team to the championship. Backers argued that while Brunson has played only four years in New York, his short stint there has been loaded with success, both individual and team-wise.
With the Larry O'Brien trophy going back to New York on Saturday night, many have begun giving Brunson that title. However, Jalen's No. 1 fan — who is also his biggest critic, his father Rick — doesn't think so.
After saying that Shaquille O'Neal was the greatest free-agent signing of all-time, not Jalen, Rick went on to say that his son is not the greatest player to wear a New York Knicks uniform, at least in his eyes.
"I love my son," said Rick while he and Jalen joined the "Inside the NBA" crew after Game 5. "Patrick Ewing is the best Knick that I've ever witnessed. "
Patrick Ewing was the first lottery pick in NBA history. Drafted first overall in 1985 by the Knicks, he was the franchise's savior that the city was waiting for for a long time, and he did not disappoint.
Patrick gave New York fans 15 years of sustained success, during which he broke many franchise records and still holds most of them today. With 11 All-Star Game appearances, seven All-NBA team and three All-Defensive team selections, and inclusion in the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams, many consider Ewing the greatest Knick ever, even though he never won a single championship for the organization.
Rick played in Pat's era and became teammates with him in 1998-99 and 1999-2000, so it's no surprise that he holds Ewing in such a high regard. However, Kenny Smith told the elder Brunson that what his son has done in four years makes that title disputable.
"Well, I'm gonna say it's going to be debatable," explained Kenny. "Oh, it's going to be debatable now, because of what he has done, as he has ignited a culture that was not lit. The fuel was there. I called it the lamp that was plugged in but had no power. It was no power in New York, and he brought the power to New York."
As Kenny said, it's debatable, and Patrick may have the better argument for now because he played longer and has more accolades than Jalen. However, as Paul Pierce recently said, JB will definitely be on top of the Knicks' mountain if he continues to play the way he is playing today. But as for now, it's still Ewing's title.
"He'll be in the conversation 100%. I mean, you're talking about a guy who's leading them, of course," Pierce said . "Even if Brunson wins it, he still wouldn't be greater than Patrick Ewing just because you won. If you look at Patrick's career as a Knick overall, it's different. If Jalen Brunson continues to play there and then we say, all right, after eight or nine years as a Knick, with a championship, more All-Star appearances, and better stats, then he'll definitely be in the conversation for number one."
That's a fair argument from Pierce. But many, like Kendrick Perkins , have already given the crown to Jalen after Game 5. You can't blame them either. As for Rick, some fans didn't like how he picked Patrick over his son. But knowing him as a father, maybe he already believes JB is the greatest, and perhaps he is already motivating him to work harder for the second straight championship next season.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jun 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
