Jalen Brunson Has Overtaken Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as NBA’s Best Player, Says Skip Bayless

Last year, when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the regular-season MVP award and then powered his team to the NBA title, many were ready to crown him as the league’s best player. Now that Jalen Brunson has won his first championship, his name should be part of that conversation.

Sure, the Canadian has been a step ahead of the New York Knicks star due to his utter dominance in the regular season sweepstakes.

The newest champions, on the other hand, needed the entire regular season to get to grips with how they can play together in Mike Brown‘s system.

After a minor scare in the first round, they turned it up a notch. They went on to win 13 straight games, sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers and then the Cleveland Cavaliers, before almost doing the same to the San Antonio Spurs.

At the head of it all is the point guard, who not only led by example but was also the one who galvanized his teammates to bring out their best. That combination, at least in Skip Bayless‘ books, is good enough to displace SGA.

Jalen Brunson completely outplayed SGA against the Spurs… The package of it is not wildly entertaining, it just works. And what he proved to me in this series is he is the best player in the NBA right here, right now. He didn’t just show you, he did it. He did that against that team and that guy.

Skip Bayless said on Gil’s Arena Show

Skip has moved Jalen Brunson ahead of SGA for best player in the NBA 👀 pic.twitter.com/4onFw2PsyC

— Gil’s Arena (@GilsArenaShow) June 15, 2026

The longtime analyst pointed out how Jalen Brunson did it all without getting SGA’s foul calls and without any complaining. That, to him, is enough to be the best player in the league.

Nick Young claims Jalen Brunson is bigger than Michael Jordan in New York

After Bayless gave his analysis on how he looks at Brunson now, his colleague, Nick Young, went on to reveal what the Knicks guard means to the city of New York.

In New York, Brunson is bigger than Jordan to some people. He has his own city now. It’s only a couple of people, LeBron in Cleveland, Jordan, Kobe, Steph, and Brunson. He did something kids dream of. Like to win in college, to win in the NBA with your homies, and your dad on the coaching staff.

Nick Young said

The former stated that the 29-year-old can lay claim to New York, as many of them will hoist him over the league’s all-time greats. After all, he has given them joy after more than five decades of misery.

“[Brunson] has his own city now… LeBron, Jordan, Kobe, Steph, Brunson.”

The @GilsArenaShow crew gives Brunson his flowers pic.twitter.com/WOTdZt1qPx

— Underdog (@Underdog) June 15, 2026

Therefore, it would not be a surprise if Brunson gets immortalized. If his teammate can get an accolade from one of the city’s boroughs for tipping in the game-winner, the point guard might get a lot more.

Kenyon Martin gives Jalen Brunson his flowers

While Nick Young and Skip Bayless addressed how Jalen Brunson has seemingly made a name for himself, another Gil’s Arena colleague, Kenyon Martin, talked about how the guard managed to do that.

Kept his eye on the prize. Didn’t waiver, 2nd-round pick, was overlooked. The heart of a champion. He’s won at every level. It was good to see as a basketball fan. Every 4th quarter, put the team on his back was like, ‘I refuse to let us lose.’

Kenyon Martin said

The former first-overall pick made it clear that the Knicks guard’s history shows he has the ‘heart of a champion’ inside him, and that is what has helped him lead his teammates to the ultimate prize in basketball.

From these discussions, it seems former players and analysts have anointed Brunson as the league’s best. Therefore, it is likely that certain conversations around the league will change about how a player should be.

Also Read:

• Victor Wembanyama Crosses His Arms During American National Anthem Again, Fans Call Him Out
• “Those Are Real Cowards,” Charles Barkley Lashes Out at ‘Scumbag’ New Yorkers For Throwing Eggs at Victor Wembanyama