Jalen Brunson Reveals How His Family and ‘Best Friend’ Josh Hart Keep Him Grounded

Jalen Brunson credited his family and Josh Hart for keeping things normal after winning a championship.

Jalen Brunson Reveals How His Family and ‘Best Friend’ Josh Hart Keep Him Grounded

Jalen Brunson (Image credits - Yahoo Sports)

Jalen Brunson may be the biggest name in the NBA right now. He reached the pinnacle of basketball after leading the New York Knicks to his third championship this year. However, it was the most meaningful title, as it was their first in 53 years.

The Knicks guard joined the Knicks as a free agent in 2022 after helping the Dallas Mavericks reach the Western Conference Finals that year. It didn’t take him long to win fans over after some impressive showings.

After missing the playoffs eight times in nine years before Brunson’s arrival, the Knicks have reached the playoffs every year since. They suffered some tough defeats, especially in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. However, Brunson delivered historic playoff performances this year and took them to the promised land.

Since lifting the championship, Brunson has dominated headlines everywhere he has gone. While it is understandable that all the fame and success could get to his head, Brunson has stayed grounded and humble.

The Knicks guard credited his family and Josh Hart, his closest friend, with keeping things normal after hitting cloud nine over the last few months.

Well, I have a sister. That’s pretty much self-explanatory. I have a father who keeps me in check. I have a mother who keeps me in check. I have a wife who keeps me in check. All my friends keep me humble. I have a best friend on my team who treats me like sh*t. I’m not even going to say his name, but he’s number three.

Jalen Brunson on Things No One Tells You podcast

Brunson and Hart have been close friends since their college days. Josh Hart has always been supportive of Brunson and has gotten even closer to him since joining the Knicks.

Hart is also known for playing his pranks and making things awkward for Brunson in public. Given that his family and close friends haven’t changed over the last few months, the 30-year-old has no reason to change as a person, either.

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Jalen Brunson’s parents made him choose between basketball and a social life

Brunson earned the title “King of New York” after his heroics last season. While he may dismiss it, there is no doubt that he is the biggest attraction in the league heading into the new season.

He is a winner. The work ethic and humility Brunson has shown throughout his career is a testament to his parents‘ parenting. The drive and the passion to accomplish what he has so far did not just fall into his lap. They came from years and years of hard work.

Speaking on the podcast, Brunson revealed that his parents made him choose between basketball and making friends.

My parents told me when I was in high school that I have three things to choose from. I have school, I have basketball, I have my social life to choose from. I can only pick two of the three. School was clearly not an option to say no to. So it was really between basketball and my social life. I chose basketball. They never pressured me into skipping a day to go hang out.

Jalen Brunson on Things No One Tells You podcast

Brunson shares a close relationship with his father, Rick Brunson, who is a former NBA player. Rick currently serves as an assistant coach for the Knicks. With Brunson hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, he’s now won at least one championship at every level of his playing career

Jalen Brunson has been the best player in the Eastern Conference over the last few years

Jalen Brunson has had his share of doubters over the last few years. Many questioned if he was the right player to lead the Knicks to a championship. The reigning Finals MVP responded in fine fashion after this year’s playoffs.

Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson (Image credits – Bleacher Report)

However, Kendrick Perkins has always been a supporter of the former second-round pick. The former champion praised Brunson during a segment on ESPN.

No way in hell that we can sit up here right now, and put Luka Doncic in front of Jalen Brunson after what he displayed last year in the postseason. And if you want to take it a step further over the last three years, Jalen Brunson, in my eyes, has been the best player in the Eastern Conference consistently. I don’t know how we start this season without Jalen Brunson being in the top 5.

Kendrick Perkins on NBA Today

Brunson was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the third straight season. He has shown that he elevates his game during the playoffs and won the Eastern Conference Finals and Finals MVP last season. Perkins makes a fair point that Brunson is one of the most consistent and best players in the East right now.

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