Jalen Brunson over Luka Doncic? The 2026 NBA Finals are rewriting the hierarchy
Criticized, underestimated, and often overshadowed. Today, Jalen Brunson is just two wins away from an NBA championship. And some are already putting him ahead of Luka Doncic
Jalen Brunson has reached the first NBA Finals of his career as the unquestioned leader of his team, following a path that was anything but easy: a second-round pick out of Villanova, years spent in the shadow of Luka Doncic with the Dallas Mavericks, then a move to the New York Knicks and a steady rise into one of the league’s premier point guards. It’s a journey that has not been without criticism, especially early in his career.
Many around the league viewed Brunson’s height and the contract he signed with the Knicks as obstacles too significant for New York to become a legitimate title contender. Questions about his defensive ability were also a constant theme.
Today, however, he has the Knicks up 2-0 in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs after winning both games in Texas. And inevitably, comparisons with his former teammate Luka Doncic have returned to the center of the conversation.
The debate was reignited by ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, who said he would reconsider his All-NBA First Team vote in favor of Brunson. His argument focused largely on one aspect of Brunson’s game that has long gone underappreciated: his defensive contribution.
Jalen Brunson is at least as valuable as Luka Doncic. At least. Brunson isn’t a great defender, but he doesn’t step on the floor looking like he wants no part of it. Luka, on that end of the court, often looks like he doesn’t care
Michael Wilbon
The comparison Wilbon invoked carries significant weight: Stephen Curry. Not an elite defender, but a player who has never shied away from the effort required on that side of the floor. Despite physical limitations, his intensity and basketball IQ have allowed him to remain effective defensively throughout his career.
Former Knicks guard Iman Shumpert, who joined the discussion in studio, largely echoed that sentiment.
The effort is there. He doesn’t just let you go by him
Iman Shumpert
Ultimately, Wilbon’s point extends beyond the numbers. Statistics tell part of the story, but they don’t always capture everything that happens on the court. It’s in the less glamorous details – defensive effort, rotations, and a willingness to sacrifice for the team – that Brunson has built much of his reputation.
And perhaps it’s no coincidence that the Knicks now sit just two wins away from an NBA title. New York has built its success on toughness, identity, and collective effort, with Brunson serving as its undisputed leader. Whether he truly belongs on the same level as Doncic will remain a topic of debate. But one thing is certain: the Knicks star has firmly established himself among the most influential players in the NBA.