Knicks’ MVP-candidate receives high praise from Pistons star: ‘Really tough guard’

Oct 30, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after scoring a three-point shot against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

New York Knicks All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson recently received a heap of praise from one of his competitors following the team’s last game against the Detroit Pistons.

Pistons’ Cade Cunningham compliments Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson’s offensive skill

Cade Cunningham — the Pistons’ vaunted point guard — spoke on the difficulties that come with trying to contain Brunson’s potent offensive abilities:

“He just knows the ins and outs of the game,” Cunningham told reporters. “He knows how to get to his spots. He’s physical and can knock down shots at a high level. All of those things make him a really tough guard. It takes a group to guard him. We just didn’t execute our gameplan good enough for the first group.”

Feb 26, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) brings the ball up court against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Brunson was electric in the Knicks’ 128-98 win over the Pistons on Friday evening. The Villanova product put up a season-high 36 points and added five assists and two steals to that total. He was also incredibly efficient, shooting 14-22 from the field and 6-8 from downtown.

Cunningham and his teammates were not able to hold Brunson, and as a result, he finished as a plus-23 on the affair. This was the type of coming out party that Knicks supporters were longing for through the early portion of the season, and one the Pistons’ young star was hoping would be delayed for at least another game.

Knicks: Brunson has a history of going to work against Cunningham

Nov 1, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) gets mentally prepared before the start of their game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Nevertheless, the former No. 1 overall pick from 2021, who has now played against Brunson five times in his career and seen him average 30.8 PPG across those contests, has gotten enough up-close and personal encounters with the 2023-2024 NBA MVP candidate to deduce just how lethal he is in his proverbial bag.

The Knicks’ franchise player is nimble-fingered at weaving through screens in the pick-and-roll, keeping defenders on his hip, and rising up at his sweet spots from 17 feet out, at the elbows, from deep, or when finishing in the lane.

Brunson will look to give Cunningham and the Pistons the business once more in their next matchup slated for Dec. 7 at Madison Square Garden.

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