Few players have had the impact that Jalen Brunson has had for the New York Knicks . Since he came over as a free agent in 2022, the Knicks have made four straight playoff appearances, making at least the second round each year, including the Eastern Conference finals last season.
The Knicks have also won at least 50 games in each of the last three seasons, including 53 this season, their most since Brunson's arrival in the Big Apple. With the success that he's brought to the franchise, even Knicks legend Patrick Ewing is impressed.
"I love Jalen," Ewing said . "I've been knowing him since he was a little kid coming in the locker room. I tell his dad, 'I don't know what you did, but you did an outstanding job of getting this kid to be great, cuz he is great. And then KAT and the rest of the team, as a former player, I enjoy going back. And I enjoy seeing them compete."
Ewing was the first-ever draft pick in the NBA's lottery era and led the Knicks to 13 straight playoff appearances, including two trips to the NBA Finals. Although he never won a title for the city, Ewing remains revered and loved in the city and within the organization. That's why, in 2024, the Knicks appointed him as one of the team's ambassadors.
Since taking over that position, Ewing has become closer to the current Knicks team as he is always present during their games. He's reconnected with Jalen, who was then a 3-year-old kid when his father, Rick, often brought him to Knicks games when they played together for the Knicks during the 1999-2000 NBA seasons. That little boy is now grown-up and he's assumed the role Ewing played during the 80s and 90s.
"I wish I could've played with him, because I watched the things that he could do. And I think both of us would have made each other great," he added.
Well, Brunson's Knicks could use a prime Ewing right now as they are down 1-2 in their first-round playoff series against the underdog Atlanta Hawks .
While current Knicks All-Star center Karl–Anthony Towns is doing a good job at 21.3 points 11.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the series, KAT does not have Ewing's leadership, physicality and inside game. Patrick can't shoot the 3-ball as Karl does, but he makes up for it with his elite two-way presence.
Meanwhile, Ewing has played with many elite point guards like Mark Jackson , Derek Harper, Rod Strickland, Charlie Ward, Greg Anthony and Chris Childs, but none of them had the offensive capability of Brunson. His ability to score will take off a lot of offensive burden from Ewing and either one of them can lead the team in scoring on any given night.
Whether or not they can win a championship together depends on the era they are playing in. If they played in the 90s, MJ would still have kicked their butts. However, if it's Patrick who's playing in today's era, having a big guy like him could be the difference between winning the title and losing.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Apr 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
