Jalen Brunson officially leads the NBA’s annual GM poll as the league’s “best leader,” pulling in a massive 53% of the votes. This isn’t just a casual nod; it’s a rare moment for the Knicks, who historically needed a magnifying glass to find positive mentions in these kinds of surveys. Now, their captain is leading the pack, even dethroning Steph Curry, who clocked in at 20%, followed by SGA and a few other one-vote wonders like Wemby. This shift from the perennial choice is a massive statement about where Brunson stands among the league’s executives.
Brunson’s Reign and The Knicks’ Eastern Surge
It wasn’t long ago the Knicks scraped by with a single vote to win the NBA Finals. Guess what? They got one again this year, with all but two executives picking either the Spurs or Thunder (come on, folks!). But don’t let that fool you. The real story is the huge jump in expectations for the Eastern Conference. Last year, only 30% of executives picked them to finish atop the East, putting them firmly second behind Cleveland. This year, that number has skyrocketed to a whopping 60%! And get this: all but one executive expects them to finish in the top two. It’s clear the league is finally buying what the Knicks are selling. Brunson isn’t just a leader; he’s also making waves at his position. One-fifth of the GMs picked him as the NBA’s top point guard, trailing only SGA. This kind of recognition for both individual talent and leadership signals a massive shift in how the Knicks are perceived heading into the season.
Underestimated Talent & Coaching Prowess
The accolades don’t stop with Brunson. Mitchell Robinson landed second in “Most Underrated Player Acquisition,” grabbing 17% in his new green and white gigs (ugh, still hard to say). After not getting a single vote in this category last year, OG Anunoby got a shoutout for the league’s best perimeter defender. While Wemby predictably took the top spot for defensive versatility, OG still tied for fourth with 10%, alongside Bam Adebayo, proving his all-around value. He even received a vote for general versatility. The coaching staff is getting some love, too. Mike Brown received three votes for “Best Coach,” putting him right behind savants Mark Daigneault and Erik Spoelstra. He also snagged 10% for “Best Motivator of People,” finishing fourth behind Spoelstra, Joe Mazzulla, and Steve Kerr. Sure, he got votes in in-game adjustments and offensive categories, but far too few; did these GMs not watch that playoff run? Yet, in a twist, 17% of executives believe the Knicks’ offense will be the most efficient this year, trailing only OKC and Denver. You gotta make that make sense. Even assistants Darren Erman and Chris Jent earned shoutouts in the “Best Assistant Coach” category, which was won by Jeff Van Gundy and Billy Donovan.
The GMs have spoken loud and clear: Brunson is the leader, the Knicks are rising in the East, and their talent is finally getting its due. This poll isn’t just about recognition; it’s a barometer for what the league expects, and GMs are betting big on the Knicks making some serious noise this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Posting and Toasting.
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