Jay Wright remembers the look. It was a steely glare of dedication with out worry.
Kevin Durant was getting criticized for Workforce USA’s struggles within the Tokyo Olympic Video games final summer time, and Wright, the pinnacle coach of the workforce, didn’t assume it was honest. However honest or unfair didn’t matter to Durant. His complete focus was on profitable. The whole lot else was noise. The strain didn’t affect him in any respect.
That reminded Wright of certainly one of his former gamers: Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ new level guard.
“I take a look at that very same deep confidence and focus that Jalen has. You solely see it in just a few guys, and he has it,” Wright, who retired as Villanova’s coach in April, informed The Submit in a telephone interview on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old Brunson, Wright mentioned, has by no means shied away from a problem or been fearful of a person opponent. Brunson has received at each degree — from highschool to varsity to the skilled ranks. He led Workforce USA’s U-19 workforce to the World Cup title in 2015 and was the MVP of the match. He received two nationwide championships at Villanova and was the Nationwide Participant of the Yr as a junior. He helped the Mavericks attain the NBA Western Convention finals this previous 12 months whereas taking his sport to a different degree, averaging 21.6 factors, 4.6 rebounds and three.7 assists within the postseason.
“He has completely no worry of failure — none. I believe he believes he’s going to do no matter I acquired to do to win, and if I fail, I’m going to return again tougher and work tougher and make up for it,” Wright mentioned. “He’s simply acquired a perception that manner, and he is aware of that he lives that manner. In the event you play with him, coach with him, in these occasions, crunch time, you look in his eyes and see there isn't a worry — none — of any state of affairs, of any participant. He has an awesome confidence.”
Now, Brunson is coming into into a brand new world, because the Knicks’ level guard, a job in New York sports activities up there with being the Yankees’ middle fielder and the quarterback of the Giants.
He has a giant contract, a four-year, $104 million deal, and sky-high expectations to go together with it. He's anticipated to fill a decades-long void on the place. A bull’s-eye might be on his again.
“There’s nothing just like the strain of being anticipated to ship in New York Metropolis as an expert, particularly at Madison Sq. Backyard. There’s most likely not a lot comparability to that in sports activities,” Wright mentioned. “[But] I don’t assume something in New York goes to have an effect on [him], positively even reward which may be troublesome to cope with in New York additionally, or criticism.
“He's very comfy in having all that strain on him,” Wright later added. “When Luka [Doncic] was out [for Dallas], he was very comfy taking up that duty within the playoffs. However he’s actually sensible and he actually is aware of that he wants good gamers round him, too. His basketball IQ is off the charts. He'll take a look at the sport like a coach and a basic supervisor. His ego doesn’t get in the best way. However he’ll by no means shy from the duty. He loves it.”
Wright was in contact with Brunson throughout his transient foray into free company. Brunson, Wright mentioned, didn’t wish to depart the Mavericks. He loved enjoying with Doncic. Dallas drafted and developed him. However he felt drawn to the Knicks, because of the quite a few — and well-documented — ties that included workforce president (Leon Rose), coach (Tom Thibodeau) and his father, Rick, who was lately employed as an assistant on Thibodeau’s employees.
“Go together with your coronary heart,” Wright informed him.
This transfer, nonetheless, wasn’t nearly household. Sure, it performed a task. In fact it did. However so did the chances Brunson noticed with the Knicks, for himself and the franchise. He has received at each degree and stage of his profession.
“He’s going there as a result of he believes they will win,” Wright mentioned. “I believe making this transfer solidifies what Leon and Thibs are attempting to construct there, with actual hard-nosed, robust however skilled guys which can be actually dedicated to profitable. I believe this transfer’s form of an announcement transfer. Different free brokers will see that.”
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