Ex-NBA Champion JR Smith Urges New York Knicks To Find New Superstar

J.R. Smith says New York Knicks will struggle to win a title with Jalen Brunson.

Ex-NBA Champion JR Smith Urges New York Knicks To Find New Superstar

J.R. Smith on the Knicks' chance with Jalen Brunson (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • J.R. Smith suggests the Knicks need a new superstar to complement Jalen Brunson for championship success.
  • Karl-Anthony Towns is underperforming and needs to share the offensive load with Brunson.
  • Isaiah Hartenstein compares Jalen Brunson's leadership and work ethic to that of MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The New York Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson, have been through some ups and downs since the turn of the year. The Knicks started the year with just two wins in ten games. However, since then, they have picked up on their form and are coming off a 142-103 blowout victory over the Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena on Friday night.

The New York Knicks have won four of their last five games. After a poor start to the year, the Knicks look like strong contenders in the East once again, improving their record to 41-23 as they sit third in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Knicks lifted the 2025 NBA Cup this season, which was the franchise’s first title in 52 years since lifting the NBA Championship back in 1973. 

While the NBA Cup may not be regarded in the same way as the NBA Championship, it was a sign that the club is headed in the right direction and has a good chance of making it out of a wide-open Eastern Conference.

2025 NBA Cup MVP Jalen Brunson is the primary engine for the Knicks and has been one of the best offensive players in the league this season. Brunson, a huge fan favorite in New York, is currently averaging 26.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 59 appearances.

Former NBA champion J.R. Smith knows what it takes to win a championship. On his recent appearance on To The Baha podcast, Smith said it is difficult for the New York Knicks to win with Jalen Brunson.

It’s hard to win in the NBA with a small guard. I think this is a true statement. Everybody knows that. I played against it. It’s not that hard to deal with.

After making it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, many believed that the Knicks would be the favorites to come out of the East this season. But with the Detroit Pistons showing no signs of slowing down and the Boston Celtics getting Jayson Tatum back, the Knicks will need someone other than Brunson to step up on the offensive end on a nightly basis.

Karl-Anthony Towns needs to step up for the New York Knicks

Karl-Anthony Towns was traded to the Knicks in 2024. While OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are capable of having impressive scoring nights, it is Towns who has to be sharing the offensive burden with Brunson. However, Towns hasn’t looked very comfortable under head coach Mike Brown this season.

On an episode of the “Run It Back” show, Cousins pointed out that Towns has repeatedly failed to impose his presence as a big man.

Karl-Anthony Towns has to step up after two embarrassing games
Karl-Anthony Towns (Image via Open Source/X)

If anybody ya’ll should be mad at, it should be KAT. He should be defending himself. Stop letting these players punk you, bro. I’m calling the facts up. If you should be mad at anybody, it should be KAT. Stand up for yourself. The scouting report is to punk KAT.

Towns is averaging 19.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 60 appearances this season. It is his lowest points per game since his rookie season. The 30-year-old has to get back to his 2024-25 level for the Knicks to be able to get over the hump in the East.

Isaiah Hartenstein compares Jalen Brunson to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

On Wednesday night, the NBA world were treated to a thriller between the Knicks and defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder.  It was a back-and-forth battle between two legitimate contenders, with the Thunder coming out on top 103-100. But the matchup everyone looked forward to was between reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Brunson.

Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein was a former teammate of Brunson during his time with the Knicks. During an appearance on Young Man and the Three, Hartenstein compared Brunson to SGA.

I think it’s kind of similar to Shai. I think they’re both, they want to win. They both, their egos are kind of aside. They both work extremely hard so when they’re in in those moments they can be confident. I can trust them. Great leader. If I’m being honest, I didn’t think he was going to, when we had him, we both got there at the same time, I thought he was a good point guard but I didn’t think he would be what he is.

Both are undersized guards who began their careers as secondary options on their previous teams. After changing teams, however, their careers took off. SGA developed into an MVP and a player who has averaged around 30 points per game over the past four seasons, while Brunson emerged as the face of the Knicks franchise.

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