Key takeaways:
– NBA champion Paul Pierce issues apology to New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson after losing bet on first round of NBA Playoffs.
– The New York Knicks advanced in six games against the Philadelphia 76ers, despite being without three-time All-Star forward Julius Randle.
– The Knicks point guard, Jalen Brunson, has outperformed expectations, proving Pierce wrong and causing him to acknowledge Brunson’s skill.
In a surprise turn of events at this year’s NBA playoffs, Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to overcome the Philadelphia 76ers in six games, proceeding to the next round. This unexpected achievement resulted in a very public apology from NBA champion and Boston Celtics legend, Paul Pierce.
Conceding His Bet
Pierce had expressed his skepticism about the Knicks’ ability to advance beyond the first round before the playoff matches commenced. However, the unexpected occurred when the Knicks, led by Brunson and even with the absence of three-time All-Star forward Julius Randle, successfully beat the 76ers.
On “Undisputed” on May 3, Pierce candidly confessed: “First off, I like to say sorry to the Knicks and Jalen Brunson because I’ve shown them no respect. But after this [first-round win], my hat’s off to them. I didn’t see this coming, I really didn’t. When I looked at the series before it started, I thought Philadelphia just had too much manpower for the short-handed Knicks.”
Brunson Shines Under Pressure
Brunson, the Knicks All-Star point guard, has become the NBA’s first player to score 39-plus points in consecutive playoff games since Michael Jordan. This incredible feat left Pierce stunned and pleasantly surprised.
He commented, “I’m still stunned. Truthfully, a guy like Jalen Brunson, who’s had a great year, should be on the All-NBA First Team arguably. You can make a case for that right now. Jalen Brunson is currently the most dominant player in the playoffs right now.”
Tip of the Hat to Thibodeau
Pierce did not limit his praise to just the players. He also expressed his admiration for Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks’ coach, considering him worthy of Coach of the Year recognition.
“The Knicks should have had more consideration for Coach of the Year for Coach Thibodeau because he’s been doing this all year, short-handed,” said Pierce.
Pierce reflected on the Fantastic Brunson
Pierce’s respect for Brunson ran so high, he made a comparison with the Celtics’ memorable Eastern Conference Finals run in 2017 behind a small point guard Iziah Thomas. “He reminds me of when Isaiah Thomas was in Boston. Remember that ride he had? They rode that to the Eastern Conference Finals and he just put on the show. It reminded me of that,” Pierce said.
Unlike Thomas, who succumbed to a career-shortening hip injury, Brunson has shown more endurance. For the last three consecutive seasons, Brunson has been a consistent contributor in the playoffs, including his last year with the Mavericks.
Conclusion
This year’s NBA playoffs have brought plenty of surprises and ignited fresh debates on the talents and potential of teams and players. Jalen Brunson and the Knicks are certainly among those at the top, forcing stalwarts like Paul Pierce to reassess their initial judgments. Their pink championship journey will continue to be closely watched so stay tuned for more updates.