Dirk Nowitzki admitted he underestimated Jalen Brunson before the guard's breakout with the New York Knicks. The NBA legend said he doubted Brunson could handle New York's market as a franchise player despite his solid rookie year and work ethic.
What did Dirk Nowitzki say about Jalen Brunson?
Nowitzki told reporters he was skeptical when Brunson joined the Knicks as a franchise player, calling him a quiet, shy guy for that media market. He admitted he didn’t see Brunson’s ceiling reaching Finals MVP level or franchise-player status, even after praising his gym habits and shot creation.
How has Jalen Brunson performed with the Knicks?
Brunson has carried the New York Knicks on and off the floor, earning widespread praise for his leadership and play. Nowitzki called his development unbelievable and said he’s super proud of Brunson’s well-deserved recognition after leading the team to success.
What text did Dirk Nowitzki send Jalen Brunson after the Finals?
After Brunson led the Knicks to an NBA title, Nowitzki revealed he sent a text saying, “Not bad, old man. Not bad, my friend,” followed by praise for earning recognition in a summer-long celebration. He emphasized Brunson deserved the accolades after coming through in the playoffs.
Why was Brunson underestimated early in his career?
Selected 33rd overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, Brunson flew under the radar despite showing promise early. Nowitzki and others noted his intelligence and effort but didn’t project his eventual stardom, a view that has shifted dramatically in hindsight.
The New York Knicks recently beat the San Antonio Spurs 90-94 on 2026-06-14, improving to 4W-0D-1L in their last five games and extending a four-game winning run as they build around Brunson’s continued growth.
See the latest Knicks fixtures Check the current Knicks squad Review Brunson’s season stats View the Eastern Conference standings Monitor injury updates for New York
