Dirk Nowitzki Admits He Doubted Jalen Brunson Before Knicks’ Title Run

Hall of Fame forward Dirk Nowitzki says even he underestimated what Jalen Brunson would become in New York, revealing in a recent interview that he was skeptical when his former Dallas Mavericks teammate signed on as the face of a franchise in the league’s biggest media market.

Nowitzki, who played alongside Brunson during the guard’s rookie season in Dallas, shared his reflections with The Stein Line’s Marc Stein. He described Brunson as a quiet, reserved player at the time and worried whether that temperament would translate to the constant scrutiny that comes with starring for the Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.-owned Knicks.

Those doubts have clearly been put to rest. Brunson captured Finals MVP honors after delivering a 45-point performance in Game 5, leading New York past the San Antonio Spurs in five games to claim the franchise’s first championship in 53 years.

“I gotta say, didn’t see that development coming from him,” Nowitzki said, while noting that Brunson’s work ethic was evident from day one — the guard could regularly be found in the gym shooting before and after practices. Nowitzki praised Brunson’s footwork, ability to get to his spots, and basketball intelligence, saying he simply didn’t project a franchise-player ceiling back then.

The Hall of Famer also reached out to Brunson after the Finals, telling his former teammate he was proud and encouraging him to enjoy the wave of recognition that comes with a summer as a champion.

Brunson’s victory lap continues this weekend with a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live — a notable turn for a player once considered too soft-spoken for the New York spotlight.

The championship run carries real business weight for MSG Sports, whose portfolio also includes the NHL’s New York Rangers. The company’s shares closed at $392.67 on Friday, down 0.62% from the prior close of $395.13, valuing the entertainment company at roughly $9.4 billion. Title runs typically boost ticket demand, sponsorship, and media revenue around the league’s most valuable market. Meanwhile, sponsor partners like NIKE — whose stock slipped 1.87% Friday to $36.64 — benefit from championship-driven merchandise and signature-shoe demand tied to stars like Brunson.

The Knicks open their preseason against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 5 as they begin the defense of their title.

What to watch

• Knicks preseason opener against Philadelphia on October 5.
• MSG Sports’ upcoming quarterly earnings, which will reflect the financial tailwind from a championship season.
• Offseason commercial activity around Brunson, including media appearances and endorsement deals.

Source: original release