“18 years later he is still top 10 player” – First-time All Star Jalen Brunson’s picture with LeBron James in 2006 leaves fans in awe of Lakers star longevity

LeBron James and Jalen Brunson will be facing off against each other in the 2024 NBA All-Star game.

“18 years later he is still top 10 player” – First-time All Star Jalen Brunson’s picture with LeBron James in 2006 leaves fans in awe of Lakers star longevity

Jalen Brunson (Left) and LeBron James (Right) (via Open Source/X)

Since the beginning of the year, Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks have been unstoppable, clinching victory in 15 games while experiencing only three losses. Before their clash with the Los Angeles Lakers last night at Madison Square Garden, the team boasted an impressive streak of nine consecutive wins. This remarkable run can be attributed to the outstanding form and leadership of first-time NBA All-Star, Jalen Brunson.

In a captivating matchup, the first-time All-Star Jalen Brunson faced off against the seasoned LeBron James as the Knicks clashed with the Lakers. However, ahead of the 2024 All-Star game, social media is buzzing with a nostalgic moment involving 9-year-old Jalen Brunson and the then Cleveland Cavalier’s LeBron James from the 2006 All-Star Weekend.

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As Brunson secured his spot on the All-Star Reserves list, fans unearthed a charming old photo that captured the Knicks superstar as a child, where he had a fanboy moment with King James during his Cavaliers days. Sporting a Houston Rockets jersey at the tender age of 9, Brunson’s journey comes full circle in this heartwarming flashback.

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Few could have predicted that 18 years after that photograph was captured, Brunson would find himself facing LeBron in the 2024 All-Star game. This stands as a testament to Brunson’s unwavering hard work, paralleled by LeBron’s remarkable longevity in the NBA. Remarkably, this year marks LeBron’s 20th All-Star game appearance, a record-breaking feat unmatched by any player in NBA history. The sole exception was LeBron’s rookie year in 2003, the only time he missed the All-Star game.

Over the past two decades, King James has dominated the league, maintaining his peak performance even at the age of 39. Last season, many were convinced that Brunson deserved a spot on the All-Star team, especially after leading the Knicks to their first playoff series win since 2013.

This season, he elevated his game even further, leaving no room for doubt in the minds of the voters. Currently, Brunson boasts impressive averages of 27.2 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. The journey has been long for Jalen Brunson, and now, at one of the NBA’s grandest events, he can finally go head-to-head with his idol, LeBron James.

Fans react to vintage Jalen Brunson-LeBron James moment

Social media erupted in excitement as an old picture featuring a 9-year-old Jalen Brunson with the then Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James from 2006 resurfaced. Enthusiastic fans flocked to the widely used social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), to collectively share in this heartwarming moment.

LeBron James and Jalen Brunson
Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Left) and New York Knicks Jalen Brunson (Right) (via Open Source/X)

One user, @_karateChris tweeted:

Bron don’t make sense because 18 years later Bron still a top 10 player in the association in the allstar game with Jalen Brunson.

A couple of other fan’s reactions below:

Both players would be at the NBA All-Stars game, with James being the captain for the West and Brunson, a substitute for the East. Another potential showdown can therefore be expected.

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